3 minute read
Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles will be praying their State of Origin stars are able to back-up when they go head-to-head on Sunday.
Missing a host of players the Panthers went down to a surprise home defeat against the St George Illawarra Dragons last week and will be hoping they return.
Penrith are priced at 3.10 to win the 2024 grand final and will be keen to bounce back against the Sea Eagles.
Manly had a week off, so everyone barring the Origin stars should be refreshed and ready to go again.
They sit ninth on the ladder after beating Melbourne Storm by six points in their last game, and making the top eight is a must.
The Sea Eagles can be backed at 7.00 to go a step further and make the top four and a win in Penrith would boost those chances.
. What: Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles
. Where: Penrith Stadium, Penrith
. When: 16:05 (AEST), Sunday 9th June 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Penrith Panthers 1.42, Manly Sea Eagles 2.90
Martin ruled out for Panthers
Penrith will have to do without Liam Martin after the forward picked up an ankle injury while playing for New South Wales in State of Origin.
Gun fullback Dylan Edwards will also miss out with a quad issue, but coach Ivan Cleary will be hoping the rest of the Origin players can figure.
Winger Brian To'o is one such star and he could be key to Penrith's chances of getting the win.
He has scored 16 tries in his last 13 games on home soil and is priced at 7.00 to score the first try of the game, or 1.87 to score at anytime.
Not since 2019 have the Panthers lost back-to-back home games and they also have a good record against Manly.
They have won eight of the last nine clashes with the Sea Eagles and can be backed at 6.00 to win by 6-10 points.
Manly eye Panthers double
Manly have already beaten Penrith once this season, but it was at 4Pines Park and they did have gun fullback Tom Trbojevic in the side.
Trbo is out through injury, but the Sea Eagles still have enough quality to trouble the Panthers.
They are boosted by the return of Tolutau Koula from a shoulder injury, and as things stand, all three State of Origin stars are in line to play.
You have to go back to 2011 to find the last time that Manly beat the Panthers on two occasions in one season.
This could be a great chance to put that statistic to bed and they can be backed at 7.00 to win a thriller by 1-5 points.
Tommy Talau has been in great form with five tries in the last five games and will play on the wing against the Panthers.
He has been moved from centre for this game and is priced at 12.00 to score the first try of the game, or 2.55 to score at anytime.
