The three game Sunday afternoon slate continues in Sydney’s west, as the Parramatta Eels look to scupper the Panthers’ hopes of doing the unthinkable and winning their fifth straight Premiership, as the bitter rivals go head-to-head at CommBank Stadium. These clashes have a tendency of being closer than expected, and so we could be in for a real cracker here on Sunday afternoon.
Eels vs Panthers Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 19
Pathetic Parra to have one last Big Performance in 2025
The Eels last played in round 17, after enjoying a bye last weekend. In their round 17 matchup with the Dragons, the Eels were the better side statistically, however the scoreboard showed that their defence was very leaky, and their attack not potent enough to stay with the Dragons, as they went down 34-20. After the loss of Mitchell Moses during the Origin series, the Eels season has gone from bad to worse, and now they are simply trying to stave off the dreaded wooden spoon, with the Eels currently sitting in 15th place, two points clear of the Titans. Their draw is horrible over the next five weeks, and you’d have to think they will be putting everything they have left into this game on Sunday afternoon. Expect this to be the Eels’ best performance between now and the end of the season, as they look to knock of their western Sydney rivals one more time.
Panthers on the Prowl
The Panthers have turned their season around over the Origin period, as they now sit inside the top 8 after languishing at the bottom of the ladder over the opening three months of the competition. We last saw the Panthers in round 17 on Thursday night, when they took on the Bulldogs in one of the games of the season. In an exceptionally tight matchup, the Panthers showed they still have some fight left, as they snuck home 8-6 in a matchup that had the feel of a late September finals game. Dylan Edwards was immense for the Panthers, running for 300 metres and looked seemingly back to his best, stopping Bulldogs attacking raids all game long. Casey McLean also showed that he could be starting to realise his massive potential, as he shut down Stephen Crichton all game in what proved the highlight matchup of the game. It was the Panthers’ fourth straight win, and they seem to be rounding into form at just the right time once again.
Eels vs Panthers Recent History
Despite the dominance of the Panthers over the entire competition for half a decade, the Eels have always played at their highest level against the Panthers. Since the 2021 season, the Panthers hold an 8-4 advantage over the Eels, which sounds impressive, but the Eels actually have the best record against the Panthers since their dominance began in 2021.
The rivals last met back in round 13 this season at this very venue, with the Panthers closing 3.5-point “home” favourites, with the total closing 44.5. I say “home” favourites, as the game was played at CommBank Stadium, which is the Eels’ home ground, however the Panthers have been using it as their home ground also this season. With both teams close enough to full strength, it was a typical tight matchup between the teams, with the teams going back and forth for the opening hour scoring two tries apiece, and the Panthers leading 12-10 with the extra conversion made. A late Brian To’o try got the Panthers home 18-10, but this was a close game that could have gone either way.
Expect Another Tight Contest in the Battle of the West
The Panthers opened up as 10.5-point favourites, before early money came in on the Eels after team lists dropped on Tuesday afternoon. Ivan Cleary did not name any of his five Origin starters in his 17, instead opting to put all five on an extended bench. After the game on Wednesday night, there is a very real chance that Brian To’o and Liam Martin will not back up, and with Nathan Cleary nursing an injury and Isaiah Yeo playing the full 80 on Wednesday, there is every chance that only Dylan Edwards will back up. With no confirmation as yet from Ivan Cleary, the spread can only be bet on the Eels at this stage in my opinion. I would make the Panthers a 10-point favourite if they were at full strength, and it remains to be seen as to whether they will be.
Looking towards the total, and it opened 45.5 and hasn’t moved through the week. I make a fair total 42.5, and therefore see some value in the under here. Both teams have been heavy unders teams (Eels 10 of 15 games, Panthers 9 of 15 games), and I would very much lean towards the under here. The Eels have struggled scoring points all year, and with the Panthers’ defence looking stouter over the past month or so, I would be surprised if this turned into a track meet. Look for the under in the Same Game Multi, but there’s another bet I prefer for the best bet in this game.
I’m intrigued by the Panthers to win this one by the 1-12 margin, however I still have some apprehension that Ivan Cleary may decide to rest multiple Origin players, and as a result believe the Eels could cause the boilover here. If that does happen, I don’t expect to see a big margin of victory for the Eels, and as such I like this game to stay within two converted tries for either side. Hedging my bets slightly here, and wouldn’t hate Panthers 1-12, but this is the safer option.
Either team to win by less than 12.5 points
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Eels vs Panthers Player Prop Bet: Addo-Carr Goes for a Perfect 10
Our Best Prop Bet: Josh Addo-Carr (1+ try)
In a lean year for the Eels’ winger, JAC still has managed 9 tries in 13 games. The Panthers concede a whopping 87% of their tries on edges, the second most in the league. With the uncertainty surrounding To’o, expect the former Storm and Bulldog to go over for his 10th of the season.
Josh Addo-Carr (1+ try)
$2.05 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi: Eels vs Panthers
Leg 1: Under 45.5 points – See the side write up above regarding the total, and my preference of the under.
Leg 2: J Addo-Carr (1+ try) – See Best Prop Bet.
Leg 3: T Jenkins (1+ try) – Milky has been fantastic this season for the Panthers, scoring 8 tries in 13 games. Expect another terrific performance this week against the Eels.
Eels vs Panthers Better Odds & Match Info
Location: CommBank Stadium - Parramatta
Weather: Sunny, 19 degrees
Odds: Eels ($3.30) vs Panthers ($1.33)
Where to Watch Eels vs Panthers
Watch the Eels vs Panthers match on Channel 9, as well as live and ad free on Kayo Sports..
Tail our Eels vs Panthers Tips at Neds!
