Roosters v Panthers betting prediction, tips and odds; NRL Rd 21 preview

Sydney Roosters v Penrith predictions, betting tips and odds update for their round-21 clash at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Saturday night. 

This is the first match of the Saturday night double-header, to be followed by the much anticipated match between seemingly unstoppable Melbourne Storm and the rapidly emerging Manly Sea Eagles from 7.35pm.

Earlier in the day, the NZ Warriors and Cronulla Sharks square off at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

ALSO READ:
NRL round 21 title odds update, schedule
NRL Friday: Eels v Rabbitohs betting preview, free tips

Penrith have won their past three matches against the Roosters and won easily when they met in round 15 this season, 38-12 at Panthers Stadium.

Before that they scored that memorable 29-28 win in the 2020 preliminary final, where Nathan Cleary kicked the decisive field goal in the 77th minute.

But the Panthers have struggled in the post-Origin period this season and were thrashed last weekend by the new title favourites the Melbourne Storm 37-10.

Meanwhile, the Roosters clicked to thrash Parramatta 28-0 in probably their best win for the season to keep alive their top-four hopes.

Panthers could get Cleary back for blockbuster

The Roosters have lost veteran back Josh Morris (hamstring) until the finals and have rushed in mid-season recruit Dale Copley to play on the wing. Copley is an experienced player but lacks the defensive oomph of all-time great Morris.

The big news is on the Panthers side of things where coach Ivan Cleary has named superstar halfback Nathan Cleary (shoulder) in the reserves.

Many pundits expect Cleary the younger to line up at halfback in this match wearing the No.21 jumped and he can certainly make all the difference to the Panthers’ sputtering attack.

Check the teams before kick-off because whether Nathan Cleary plays or not will have a huge bearing on the Panthers’ chances of winning.

Penrith also have energetic hooker Api Koroisau (suspension) and workhorse lock Isaah Yeo (head knock) back in the side to face the Roosters.

Read on for our free Roosters v Panthers betting tips, predictions and odds analysis for their NRL round-21 clash from 5.30pm on Saturday, August 7. 

Start:	5.30pm AEST, August 7
Venue:	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Head-to-head odds:	Syd Roosters ($3.10) v Penrith ($1.38)
Line betting:	Syd Roosters +9.5 ($1.85) v Penrith -9.5 ($1.95)
Premiership odds:	Sydney Roosters $14; Penrith $4

Roosters v Panthers tips

Our NRL betting expert has examined the odds for the Roosters-Panthers clash and found some value tips:

Roosters v Panthers prediction 7/8

Both these teams have a few issues at the moment, especially in their back lines which bear little resemblance to what they would have expected at the start of the season. So we think it will come down to who can establish dominance in the forwards. The Roosters should be able to match the Panthers in this area, so we are betting this match will go right down to the wire. Again, if Cleary plays we will be on the Panthers to win a tight one but without him it could go either way in a thriller. Our final Roosters v Panthers prediction? Panthers by 2 points. 

MORE SPORTS BETTING TIPS

Relevant news