2020 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Friday 11th September, 2020 – 10:55 (UK)
Where is Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Panthers Stadium, Penrith
What is the expected weather for Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels? 13c, clear skies
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Edwards, Mansour, Naden, Crichton, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Tamou, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Martin, Yeo – Interchanges: May, Leniu, Leota, Tetevano – Reserves: Kenny, Capewell
Unavailable:
- Penrith Panthers did not hit their own high standards in terms of performance against Brisbane Broncos last week but they still did enough to earn their 12th straight win so far this campaign with the minor premiership within touching distance.
- Despite seeing 58% of the ball, the Panthers were fairly conservative in their approach and perhaps played within themselves in attack but they were still relatively comfortable 12-25 victors.
- They have enjoyed a long turnaround having played last Thursday and boast an entirely fit squad at their disposal with Isaah Yeo returning at lock after missing out last week because of a head knock with Kurt Capewell the man to drop out of the 17.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Blake, Ferguson, Field, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Stone, Paulo, Lane, Matterson, N. Brown – Interchanges: Davey, Evans, Kaufusi, Smith – Reserves: Dunster, Utoikamanu
Unavailable: Peni Terepo (Injured), Dylan Brown (Injured), Marata Niukore (Injured), Reed Mahoney (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels were once again far from impressive but they did at least manage to put their huge loss to South Sydney Rabbitohs behind them as they got the better of New Zealand Warriors last week.
- The 18-24 success kept the Eels in the hunt for a top two finish but they still have many questions to answer regarding their ability on both sides of the ball after they were on the receiving end of some favourable calls last week.
- They have no better game to put any doubts around their capabilities to bed as they face league leaders Penrith Panthers in a huge Western Sydney derby but they have lost hooker Reed Mahoney after he failed to prove his fitness after copping a shoulder injury last week so Ray Stone will start at rake and Will Smith comes onto the bench.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels will face off in a mouth-watering Western Sydney derby between two teams that should finish in the top four. Top of the ladder Penrith host third-placed Parramatta and revenge could be in mind for the Panthers after they lost out to the Eels earlier in the campaign. That was Penrith’s one and only defeat in what has been a sensational run of form since with the Panthers aiming for their 13th consecutive victory. On top of their superb winning streak, the Panthers have also posted 107 points more than the Eels so far this season with their attack likely to outshine their rivals here and the hosts can win by at least six points.
