NRL Friday: Panthers v Roosters tips & odds, round 15, 2021

Rupert McIntosh

June 17, 2021

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Welcome to our Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night, June 18.

This match would have long been circled in the calendars of league aficianados as one to look forward to, and it is certainly the match of the round.

This is the second of two matches on Friday, with North Queensland hosting Cronulla at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in the earlier match from 6pm.

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Penrith had taken all before them winning their first 12 matches in 2021 on the back of incredibly miserly defence. Of course Origin has interrupted their momentum, with losses against also rans the Tigers and Sharks the past two weeks as their start have watched on.

But now that that they are back close to full strength they will want to resume their winning ways against a Roosters team that has been decimated by injuries and retirements but is still highly competitive and sitting in fifth place on the NRL table, just one win out of the top four.

In their most recent clash against the Roosters, the Panthers won an epic clash 29-28 in the first week of the finals at Penrith. In their only other meeting in 2020, the Panthers won 20-14 in round 1.

This is certainly going to answer a few questions about how far the Roosters can go this season.

Panthers v Roosters team news for round 15

Penrith went into the match against Cronulla last week without their Origin players who had played just 48 hours earlier in Townsville.

But this week for the marquee clash with the Roosters they regain ace halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, lock Isaah Yeo, second-rower Kurt Capewell and powerful winger Brian To’o.

On the downside, strong-running forward Viliame Kikau is out with an ankle injury.

The Roosters have lost Ben Marschke for two matches to a dangerous contact charge, but fortunately hooker Sam Verrills (detached retina) is finally ready to return after a shocking run of injuries.

Of course, the Roosters also regain superstar Origin fullback James Tedesco and Siosiua Taukeiaho, with young gun Joseph Suaalii and Fletcher Baker making way.

Young halfback Sam Walker (shoulder) was cleared to play.

Panthers v Roosters

Kick-off: 7.55pm local time
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Head to head odds: Penrith $1.25, Sydney Roosters $4.10
Line: Penrith (-12.5 points) $1.85, Sydney Roosters (+12.5 points) $1.95
Match total: 46 points: over $1.95, under $1.85

Panthers v Roosters free betting tips

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Friday night’s game.

Roosters +12.5/match total under 44.5 points

Roosters coach Trent Robinson would have been mortified by his team’s lapses in defence last week in their lucky win against the Titans. Expect them to aim up this week, while the Panthers are always hard to score against. With Tedesco providing additional firepower, the Roosters look a lot more dangerous this time.

Place bet at $3.30 at TopSport!

Matt Burton to score 2 tries

The Panthers centre has been in sterling try-scoring form, with 12 from 12 games this season. No reason he can’t be the man to cross for a couple here.

Place bet at $5.90 at TopSport!

Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters prediction 18-6-2021

You can’t help but admire the Roosters’ ability to recover from injury setbacks. They put out their best team for some time for this clash and could easily spring an early surprise as the Panthers really need to get their groove back. They are an outstanding team though and at home they should find the cohesion and defensive starch needed to get the job done. Though the 12.5-point line is a large one in a match-up between quality teams. Our Panthers v Roosters prediction: Panthers to win by 6 points.