Roosters vs Panthers NRL Round 21 betting tips – August 7, 2021

Two NRL heavyweights will collide at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening when the Sydney Roosters take on the Penrith Panthers.

The Roosters might be the $3.35 outsider, but there is a sense of optimism they can cause a big upset over a Penrith team who have hit a wall and are missing some key players. Sydney have overcome a ridiculous injury toll and several retirements to be within a whisker of a top-four finish, so why should they all of a sudden think this game is beyond them?

Penrith have named Nathan Cleary in their extended squad, although he is considered only an outside chance to take his place, while Brian To’o, James Fisher Harris and Stephen Crichton will be out of action. They will be boosted by the club debut of Tevita Pangai Jr, who has been named on the interchange bench after being released from the Brisbane Broncos last month. The Panthers as a $1.37 favourite look to be a bit of fool’s gold, as this game is far from a foregone conclusion.

Roosters vs Panthers NRL R21 betting preview

The professionalism the Sydney Roosters play with each week is outstanding. They’ve had 15 injuries this year where a player has missed at least five weeks, yet they still look every chance of finishing in the top four. The +9.5 handicap is absolutely in play, purely based on the ‘it doesn’t even matter who wears the jersey’ mantra.

The spot Trent Robinson will want his team to exploit is Kurt Capewell defending in the centres, so the likes of Adam Keighran ($3.75), James Tedesco ($2.50) and Angus Crichton ($4) look the top picks in the anytime tryscorer market. Daniel Tupou at $2 is the other player everyone will be on, and rightly so when you can double your investment. Sydney may have won their last three games by 13+ points, but you probably won’t find many willing to take the $9.50 on offer with BetOnline for that margin here.

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The market for this game will swing in the hour before kickoff, when Nathan Cleary is either confirmed to take his place in the team or is left to rest his shoulder for one more week. Even if Cleary does play, Penrith’s two most important yardage players in Brian To’o and James Fisher-Harris will still be unavailable, which brings them right back to the field.

The name sticking out to score a try is Viliame Kikau at $2.40, who will have the chance to run at the diminutive Sam Walker on that side of the field. The Penrith Panthers scored three tries down their left edge in Round 15, so it brings Brent Naden into the fold as a great first tryscorer option at $9. Penrith should win this game at the 1-12 margin, and it should fall under the 48.5 total points line.

Key matchup: Victor Radley and Isaah Yeo

Both clubs are missing key personnel, but if you aren’t excited to watch Victor Radley and Isaah Yeo lead the way for their teams, what on earth is wrong with you? Both men make the attack flow for their side, and their stocks only rise whenever the Roosters and Panthers are forced to play without them. The way both men are able to create attacking shapes that stretch the opposition defence is fascinating to watch, and Yeo in particular has become an exceptional ball-player. Watch for the play where Yeo gets the ball with a man either side of him and how he goes right to the light with the ball out on a string and causes mass confusion. Good things normally come off the back of it. If Sam Walker and Drew Hutchison have a day out for the Chooks, it’s almost always as a result of Radley digging deep into the line before passing for his halves. Footy purists won’t want to miss this.

Roosters vs Panthers predictions & best bets

Winning margin: Sydney Roosters +9.5

The Roosters at the +9.5 line just has a certain feel to it. Penrith have flatlined with some key players missing, so it presents a great chance to a Sydney side who keep finding ways to rack up the wins. While Penrith should get the two points, they’ll be made to work extremely hard for it.

Same game multi: 4 legs @ $27.75

Roosters +9.5 with James Tedesco, Matt Burton and Brent Naden to score tries gives punters a nice $27.75 return.