Friday Night football continues at CommBank Stadium, with the four-time defending Premiers the Panthers taking on the Roosters. It will be the Panthers’ first game at their new “home” ground in Parramatta, and it will be interesting to see how many make the trek from the foot of the mountains. A lot of questions coming out of round 1, and we should get some answers this weekend. We bring you our thoughts and betting tips for the clash below!
Also, don’t forget to head to our NRL tips page for more previews, analysis and betting tips for every NRL match of every round!
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters
Location: CommBank Stadium – Parramatta
Date: Friday, 14th March
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Odds: Panthers ($1.06) vs Roosters ($9.25)
Line: Panthers -21.5
Points: 49.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Neds. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
The Roosters come into this round 2 clash with the Panthers with some serious question marks, having been soundly beaten last week at home by the Broncos 50-14. The stats made for bad reading for the Chooks, as they conceded 650 metres more than the Broncos, allowed 17 offloads, and a whopping 10 line-breaks. It doesn’t get any easier this week, as they have to back it up and take on the Panthers in round 2. Without a more assured performance this week, the Roosters season could be over before it had a chance to get started.
The Panthers were solid, if not spectacular, in their round 1 matchup with the Sharks in Las Vegas. The Panthers appeared the better team for the most part, but never put the Sharks to the sword like they have in years past. Rather worryingly, the defence of the Panthers struggled, as they missed 35 tackles and conceded 5 line-breaks. Expect a better showing this week from what has been the best defence in the NRL for five years.
The Panthers opened 10.5-point favourites at open, with an avalanche of Panthers support hitting the market since. The Panthers currently sit as 21.5-point favourites, which is a larger spread than ANY game in the 2024 season, and the largest spread since round 25 of the 2023 season (Panthers @ Titans). This line would indicate the Roosters are one of, if not the lowest rated team in the competition. The number is too big for me, and I make a fair spread closer to 14.5. As scary as it is, I will have to take on the Panthers in this one, the Roosters just cannot be THAT bad, can they?
Looking at the total, and it opened 49.5 and it hasn’t moved. My numbers would say bet the under, with my fair total sitting at 44. It’s very hard to bet the under, given how poor the Roosters defended last week. It’s a leg I’ll look at in the SGM, but it’s not a best bet.
Roosters +21.5
$1.96 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 NRL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Leg 1: Under 56.5 points – As above, I like the under, and this is getting two converted tries and the hook over my predicted total of 44 points.
Leg 2: Brian To’o (1+ try) – The Roosters leaked three tries to Broncos’ right winger Selwyn Cobbo last week. Expect more of the same this week with To’o, who outside Cleary scores tries for fun.
Leg 3: Isaiah Papali’i (1+ try) – The big Panthers off-season recruit was solid in his first outing for the reigning Premiers last week. Given how weak the Roosters middle looked last weekend, expect the Panthers to take it straight to them again this week. Papali’i has a nose for the line, and he bumps up this SGM really nicely.
SGM Odds: $10.00 at BoomBet
