Western Sydney rivals Penrith and Parramatta square off in the finals for the second straight season and after the Eels were downed controversially last year they will be hellbent on revenge.
Best Bet
The finals kick off with an absolute blockbuster when arch rivals Penrith and Parramatta do battle at BlueBet Stadium. The Eels go in as big underdogs but will go in confident knowing they have rolled the Panthers twice this year and were given a hatchet job in last year’s finals campaign.
Parramatta have a dire finals record but they will fancy their chances in a game where points will be at a premium and few give them a chance.
The under is 12-3 in the last 15 between these teams and this is a final so a start of 8 is very big. The Eels have covered five of six as an underdog and four straight as a dog of more than a converted try. They have covered 12 of 18 off scoring 20-plus.
Penrith are outstanding at home but they could be disjointed with Nathan Cleary sidelined for so long and the entire team resting last week. The Eels have no real health issues and know how important this game is to their finals hopes.
Same Game Multi
Maika Sivo has been sensational with 12 tries in 12 games including tries in eight of his last nine matches.
The under has been money when these two play with 12 of 15 going under the total. When these met in the finals last year just 14 points were scored.
Value Bet
Shaun Lane is playing in such good form that he has been mentioned in dispatches for Australian selection at the end of the year. He has just two tries this year but he has an ability to get an arm free and is constantly pressing the line. Happy to take a chance on him being a game breaker.
Betseeker Bingo
Play Betseeker Bingo for NRL Tryscorers at TopSport! Here are this week’s selections.
Best Bets
At least three of the following four players to score a try in NRL Finals Week 1.
Value Bets
At least two of the following four players to score a try in NRL Finals Week 1.
