Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction: Pick up 2/1 and 7/5 value in high-scoring spectacle

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Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Odds

Given their result in Round 1, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the Panthers favoured here. Betfred have them at 4/9 for the win, which implies a 69.2% probability.

Cronulla are 2/1 for the 80-minute victory, with a draw in the regulation period slated at 16/1.

Craig Fitzgibbon’s side are handed a 7.5-point start in the two-way handicap, with their price shortened to 10/11 in return. The Panthers are 5/6 to overcome the difference.

Team News

Like so many teams this week, Penrith will look much the same as they did in Round 1. Liam Martin is still unavailable, meaning Ivan Cleary doesn’t rock the boat.

Thomas Jenkins retains his place having been drafted in late in the day last week, with Paul Alamoti currently slated to start in the centres. Having also stepped in at short notice against the Bronx, Isaiah Papali’i gets the number 11 jumper from the off this time around.

Rugby League Odds

After hammering the Titans 50-10 first up, Fitzgibbon also names the same 19.

The Sharks boss is still without Teig Wilton, while Hohepa Puru and Chris Vea’ila are among the squad having been the unused substitutes against Gold Coast.

Panthers by 1-12 @ 2/1

Against most other opponents this week, I might well be looking at the 13+ margin for the Panthers.

They were so good in that opener at Suncorp against the champions, and when Cleary’s side play like that they simply have to be taken seriously.

And while the Broncos’ subsequent 40-32 defeat to the Eels on Thursday perhaps undermined the significance of that Round 1 result, I saw enough last Friday to know that the Panthers are playing with a chip on their shoulder.

In the Sharks they are facing a club which will fancy its chances of going deep once more. They haven’t made 12 Finals appearances in 14 years for nothing. And that battering of the Titans was a statement early win.

But the Panthers look ready to continue their form of late 2025 rather than replicate their struggles of this time last year, and I think they’ll have too much for Cronulla in what ought to be one of the spectacles of Round 2.