It’s the Battle of the West in the NRL on Sunday afternoon in Parramatta, as the Penrith Panthers host the Parramatta Eels, in Parramatta… It’s the first of two editions of this rivalry during the 2025 season, and if I’m honest the NRL hasn’t done a great job putting this matchup straight after Origin. Nevertheless, this should be an intriguing battle between the two rivals, as they both look to get off the bottom of the table.
Panthers vs Eels Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 13
Are the Panthers a Dead Team Walking?
The Panthers have five players backing up from Origin, and the early talk from coach Ivan Cleary is he expects all five to back up after the game on Wednesday evening and boy do they need to. The Panthers are sporting the worst 10-game streak of any team in the competition, with just two wins in their past 10 games. Last time we saw the Panthers, they took on the Knights last week in Bathurst. With half of their team missing, the Panthers were horrible in attack and their defence was deplorable in the first half, resulting in a 25-6 loss to the lowly Knights. Season 2025 continues to go from bad to worse for the four-time defending premiers, and a loss here to their biggest rivals will be the final nail in the coffin.
Have the Eels Turned the Corner?
The Eels, meanwhile, come into this clash off the back of a tremendous victory last week over the Sea Eagles, winning 30-10. This, despite being without their halfback and captain Mitch Moses, and X-Factor Zac Lomax. It was the second win in as many weeks for the previously bottom-placed Eels, and their form looks vastly improved from earlier in the season. Isaiah Iongi will be looking to make the Panthers pay for letting him go, and he was brilliant last week, running for 265 metres, whilst scoring a try and setting another up. The Eels may come into this clash as the underdogs against the Panthers, but I believe an argument can easily be made that they are the form team coming into this clash.
Panthers vs Eels Recent History
The Eels have been the thorn in the Panthers’ side over their half decade of dominance, holding a solid 4-4 record against the Panthers in the past 8 games. They also hold a tremendous recent record at this ground, with the Eels winning three of the past four matchups at this venue.
Last season, the teams met twice, with the Panthers hosting the Eels in round 2, going off as 7.5-point home favourites, with a short total of 35.5. The Panthers dominated statistically; however, the Eels kept the contest tight, leading 18-16 after 50 minutes. Two quick tries to the Panthers put them ahead though, eventually winning 26-18. They met again in round 23 at CommBank Stadium, with the Panthers this time closing 16.5-point road favourites, with a total of 49.5. The Eels once again were right in this contest, even leading 34-20 with just 7 minutes remaining. In an extraordinary comeback, the Panthers scored three tries in three minutes to take the win, 36-34.
The Value is in the Underdog on Sunday Afternoon
The Panthers were 6.5-point favourites on the lookahead, before re-opening as 3.5-point favourites after the teams’ performances last weekend. Some early money came in on the Panthers, pushing this back to 4.5 where it currently sits. I make the number 4.5 too, and believe the value lies more in the money line price of the Eels. The Panthers have been woeful at this ground for years and having it as their “home” ground this season hasn’t helped that at all. The Eels on the other hand love playing here, especially on a Sunday afternoon, and I believe there is great value here in an underdog victory.
The total for this game opened 44.5, and it hasn’t moved all week. My fair total is 46, so there is a little meat on the bone for the over, but it’s a bit too tight for me. The Eels have been a heavy unders team this year, however the Panthers are close to 50-50. I’d lean to the over, but no official play.
Eels to Win
$2.40 (2 Units)
Panthers vs Eels Prop Bet: Lomax Too Big, Too Strong
Our Best Player Prop: Zac Lomax 1+ Try
Lomax was unlucky to not be awarded the Man of the Match in State of Origin 1, but he will put that behind him immediately here with another huge display at club level. Lomax will be taking on his Blues teammate Brian To’o, who the Maroons showed is vulnerable in the air. There aren’t any better players in the NRL through the air than Lomax, and I fully expect Mitch Moses to pepper To’o all night in the redzone.
Zac Lomax (1+ try)
$2.15 (1 Unit)
Panthers vs Eels Same Game Multi
Leg 1: Eels (+4.5) – As above, the +4.5 gives us a little wiggle room here in case the Panthers sneak home.
Leg 2: Z Lomax (1+ try) – I love Lomax on the wing, and his advantage in the air over To’o cannot be overestimated.
Leg 3: T Jenkins (1+ try) – Jenkins has been solid this year for the Panthers, with three tries in 9 games. This week, the Panthers will go right to attack the edge consisting of Brown, Russell, and Addo-Carr, with Cleary and Edwards pulling the strings.
Panthers vs Eels Better Odds & Match Info
Date: Sunday, 1st June
Location: CommBank Stadium – Parramatta
Time: 4:05pm AEST
Weather: Fine, 20 degrees
Odds: Panthers ($1.62) vs Eels ($2.30)
Line: Panthers (-4.5)
Points: 45.5
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Where to Watch Panthers vs Eels
Watch the Panthers vs Eels match on Channel 9, as well as live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
