Panthers v Roosters NRL tips & betting preview | Friday 14/3/25

Panthers v Roosters NRL R2 best bets

NRL Round 2: Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters preview

The Penrith Panthers return to Australian soil to face the Sydney Roosters at Commbank Stadium in NRL Round 2 this Friday night.

After a hard-fought 28-22 victory over the Cronulla Sharks in Las Vegas, the Panthers will be eager to put on a strong performance in front of home fans.

The four-time defending premiers showcased their resilience in Round 1, with Nathan Cleary orchestrating their attack to perfection.

They will be further boosted by the return of Brian To’o, who comes back from injury and adds firepower to an already dominant outfit.

On the other hand, the Sydney Roosters enter Round 2 after a nightmare start to the season.

They were thumped 50-14 by the Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium last week, a result that raised serious concerns about their defensive capabilities during this rebuilding phase.

To make matters worse, they will be without key forwards Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins, leaving their middle exposed against the powerhouse Panthers pack.

Penrith have dominated the Roosters in recent years, winning the last 10 meetings between these two sides.

Given the form and team news, another one-sided contest looks likely, with the NRL betting odds putting the Panthers at $1.04.

The Roosters will need a monumental turnaround in their defensive structure to avoid another thrashing, but against an in-form Panthers side, the rugby league bookmakers are giving them little-to-no hope of securing their first win of the season.

Panthers v Roosters Rd 2 team lists

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Casey McLean
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To’o
6. Jack Cole
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Daine Laurie
15. Isaiah Papali’i
16. Matthew Eisenhuth
17. Luke Garner

Brian To’o is set to make his return from a hamstring injury, so Paul Alamoti shifts into the centres and Luke Garner moves to the bench. Casey McLean has recovered from a head knock and retains his place on the wing. The forward pack remains unchanged, with Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen continuing in the back row alongside co-captain Isaah Yeo.

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Mark Nawaqanitawase
4. Robert Toia
5. Dominic Young
6. Sandon Smith
7. Chad Townsend
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Connor Watson
10. Naufahu Whyte
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Salesi Foketi
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Blake Steep
17. Taylor Losalu

The Roosters have been hit hard by injuries, with Victor Radley ruled out due to a concussion suffered against Brisbane. Salesi Foketi has been promoted to start at lock in his absence. Lindsay Collins has been sidelined due to illness, forcing a reshuffle in the forward pack. Makahesi Makatoa has been called up to the bench, while young prospect Hugo Savala has been named in the reserves.

Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters betting predictions

With the Roosters missing multiple key players and coming off a demoralising 50-14 loss to the Broncos, Penrith should have no trouble covering the 23.5-point line at $1.90 odds with BetOnline. The Panthers’ structured attack should pick apart Sydney’s defence with ease. Recent history also favours Penrith, as they have won 10 consecutive games against the Roosters, often by convincing margins.

Brian To’o is a renowned finisher, and at $2.30 odds with BetOnline to score two or more tries, he presents excellent value in his first game of the season. The Roosters’ edge defence was exposed repeatedly by Brisbane, conceding nine tries last week, and Penrith will look to exploit those same weaknesses. To’o, who is also paying $5.25 as first tryscorer, thrives in Penrith’s clinical left-side attack and will get plenty of opportunities.

With Penrith likely to pile on points and the Roosters expected to contribute some consolation tries, the total should comfortably exceed 50.5 points, making the $1.90 odds at BetOnline appealing. The Roosters’ defence has already conceded 50 points once this season, while Penrith’s attack remains one of the most efficient and relentless in the NRL. The last time these sides met, the total score hit over 50, and given the Roosters’ defensive struggles, another high-scoring contest is likely.

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