NRL Round 5 Preview - Eels v Panthers @ ANZ Stadium

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Eels and Panthers clash for the second time this season, with the Eels desperate to get off their duck at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. Parramatta slumped to another disappointing loss, losing 30-20 to the West Tigers in a match they were never really in. The Panthers put in by far their most impressive performance of the season with a convincing 33-14 victory over the Cowboys, despite being without Nathan Cleary. 
 
Parramatta Eels Scouting Report - The Eels have stuck with the same side despite a fourth loss in a row, with enormous pressure on some of the players to find their form in what has been an awful start to the season. Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses have both been underwhelming, however the likes of Tim Mannah, Beau Scott and the Eels’ pack have really struggled. 
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report - Anthony Griffin has named an unchanged line up from the one that dismantled the Cowboys in Townsville last week. James Maloney had his best game for twelve months with a dominant display in the absence of Nathan Cleary, while the Panthers’ pack played with speed and aggression in getting over the Cowboys’ pack despite bigger size and bigger names on paper. 
 
Verdict - Penrith by 1-6 in a high scoring game

I can't tip Parramatta with the football they are playing at the moment, although I do expect this to go down to the wire. Penrith were great last week, however are not renowned for being outstanding two weeks in a row. However, the Parramatta forward pack are really struggling for me, and Penrith could easily monster them up front. Then you have the fact that both Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses are temperamental characters and you could easily have a recipe for disaster at Parramatta this season if they don’t get going soon. I just think this side have too many issues this year, and Penrith will be too good in a close and physical game.