Panthers vs Eels Prediction: Penrith to pick off Parra with ease

The three-for-three Penrith Panthers have a chance to stamp their authority on the NRL Premiership ladder on Saturday when they face Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium (17:30 local, 06:30 GMT, Sky Sports Action).
The Panthers’ response to losing their crown in 2025 has been emphatic thus far, but the Eels have won their last two and look in good shape. Read on for my Panthers vs Eels predictions, the latest team news and Betfred’s match odds.
Panthers vs Eels Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publishing
There’s doubting who the majority fancy for this one, with Betfred having Penrith down as a 2/9 favourite. That implies an 81.8% probability of a Panthers win.
The Eels can be backed at 18/5 to achieve a third straight victory, while it’s 18/1 for the draw in regulation time.
The Panthers have to overcome a 15.5-point handicap in the standard two-way bracket. They’re 5/6 to do so, with the Eels 10/11 to keep it within that range.
Team News
There’s not much change for Ivan Cleary this week, with Jack Cogger’s return from concussion the only alteration to his 19.
It’s Jack Cole who steps aside to allow for the return of the play-everywhere Cogger.
Jason Ryles has the luxury of adding firepower to a side which has beaten the Broncos and Dragonsn in its last two outings.
In comes Brian Kelly at centre after missing out on the pair of victories. Knee-injury victim Jordan Samrani is replaced in the outside backs.
J’maine Hopgood’s ACL injury is the big loss for the Eels, but Luca Moretti steps up to the bench. Jack De Belin is in reserve.
Handicap 3-way Alt 4: Panthers -24 @ 23/10
Not always during their four-year reign from 2021 to 2024 did the Panthers pummel teams by big scores. So often they made a job of outlasting the opposition.
But at the start of ’26 they have been as clinical in attack as they have been miserly against the ball. They’ve conceded only 10 points in three matches, scoring 92 in the process.
With Nathan Cleary leading brilliantly at the heart of their play, the Panthers look likely to score at almost every opportunity. And that’s despite them having faced three of the eight finalists from 2025.
So against an Eels side which has surprised a few but has still shipped points at will, I just can’t see this one being close. There’s definitely value in the Panthers win by five scores, with the 23/10 price implying a 30.3% probability.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Panthers Over 33.5 Total Points @ 11/10
A 26-0 win over the champion Broncos first up was followed by a 26-6 success against the Sharks. Then the Panthers demolished the Roosters 40-4.
That last one in particular is noteworthy, with the Chooks having beaten their rival Rabbitohs seven days prior but being no match for a free-wheeling Penrith.
I think this is another match which could have points available to Cleary’s side, so the 11/10 for them to clear 34 points is tempting enough for me to back.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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