NRL Round 7 preview: Roosters v Panthers betting tips

Best bets for Roosters vs Panthers

NRL Round 7: Roosters vs Panthers betting preview

It’s a Saturday night blockbuster at Allianz Stadium as the Sydney Roosters look to notch back-to-back wins over a struggling Penrith Panthers outfit in Round 7.

Having stunned the reigning premiers in Round 2 and now coming off a gritty upset over Brisbane, the Chooks suddenly find themselves with momentum. Penrith, on the other hand, are staring down a sixth straight loss and clinging to finals hopes by a thread.

The Roosters snapped a long losing streak against Penrith earlier this season in a wild 38-32 shootout. Now, with the Panthers at their most vulnerable in years, Easts are primed to go 2-0 in 2025.

Penrith are a shadow of their four-time premiership selves, leaking over 22 points per game and showing none of their usual discipline or structure.

While Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary are trying to carry the load, the cohesion just isn’t there. It’s rare to see the Panthers priced this way — but given their slide, it’s arguably generous at $1.68 odds with the top online bookmakers.

While their first meeting went well over the total, there’s a sense both teams will button up defensively — but that may only last a half.

With high-impact outside backs on both sides and defensive lapses becoming more frequent from Penrith, there’s a strong case to expect another total creeping into the high 40s with plenty of value on offer with the top NRL betting sites.

NRL Roosters v Panthers R7 team news

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Mark Nawaqanitawase
4. Robert Toia
5. Dominic Young
6. Sandon Smith
7. Hugo Savala
8. Nat Butcher
9. Connor Watson
10. Naufahu Whyte
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Blake Steep
17. Spencer Leniu

Mark Nawaqanitawase returns from a calf issue for the Roosters, replacing the suspended Billy Smith. Victor Radley is back starting at lock after easing into his return off the bench.

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Paul Alamoti
3. Luke Garner
4. Casey McLean
5. Thomas Jenkins
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brad Schneider
15. Isaiah Papali’i
16. Liam Henry
17. Izack Tago

Mitch Kenny returns at hooker for the Panthers, pushing Luke Sommerton back to the reserves. Casey McLean and Luke Garner form a makeshift centre duo, while Izack Tago moves to the bench and Thomas Jenkins starts on the wing.

Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers Rd 7 betting predictions

The Roosters come into this one full of confidence after upsetting the Broncos and will fancy their chances against a Penrith side on a five-game slide. The Chooks already knocked off the Panthers earlier this year and now get them at home in front of a fired-up crowd. At $2.20 with BetOnline, there’s great value for a team with momentum and belief.

Back in the starting side after a calf injury, Mark Nawaqanitawase adds size and X-factor to the Roosters’ edge. With Billy Smith out, he should have plenty of attacking opportunities on the right side against a reshuffled Panthers defence. At $2.75 with BetOnline, he’s well priced to cross the stripe.

The last time these two sides met, the total soared past 70 in a free-flowing try-fest. Penrith’s defence has been far from reliable, conceding 22 or more points in every game this season, while the Roosters are scoring freely at Allianz. Expect another open contest, with over 46 points looking likely at $1.90 with BetOnline.

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