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The inconsistent Penrith Panthers will be under pressure when they host the trainwreck that is the Parramatta Eels at Pepper Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEST).
The Panthers sit 10th place on the ladder, and on paper are a much better team than what they have been able to display on the field this season with seven wins from their 16 games.
More worrying for the Panthers is their form through their last couple of matches, which saw them in a high scoring loss to the Wests Tigers and then a shocking performance against the Cronulla Sharks where they looked directionless.
After moving Jamie Soward on from the club, which saw him sign a contract with the London Broncos in the English Super League, their halves combination has been Bryce Cartwright and Nathan Cleary. Cartwright is a second rower, and Cleary on debut, and unsurprisingly they have struggled at best.
In fact, their kicking game has been ordinary, and Cartwright, particularly against the Sharks with a stack of possession during the first half overplayed his hand and Penrith struggled to score.
Their defence hasn’t been holding up either, and if they can’t get their attack right they could be destined for another loss.
Parramatta on the other hand have been undertaking the season from hell, and nothing has changed. They have been docked 12 points for their salary cap indiscretions over the past few years, and had a long list of off-field issues involving stars.
Those off-the-field issues have seen them dump Corey Norman from this game, despite being named on Tuesday and the side now sit 14th on the ladder needing to win all eight of their remaining games for a chance at the finals.
They come into this game having recorded a narrow win over the Sydney Roosters, after also losing to the Cronulla Sharks simply failing to shut out the game after leading early.
In other team news for the Eels, Brad Takairangi and Michael Jennings are back for the Eels with Kenny Edwards back to the bench and Rory O’Brien to 18th man while the Panthers welcome back Josh Mansour, Matt Moylan and Tyrone Peachey naming a six-man bench.
Both teams are under the pump and need a win, but it could be a scrappy game with no direction in the halves – that means it will all come down to which side can dominate through the middle.
Prediction
The Panthers haven’t been looking great, but the Eels are a shambles at the moment and with no Norman there is no overcoming the odds for a win away from home.
Penrith by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 19 fixture from 4pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde