Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Betting Tip Panthers -8 Handicap – 21st August 2020

Defence of the Panthers can keep the Sharks at bay

Apisai Koroisau / Panthers ©imago images / AAP 14.08.2020

Australia Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Australia
21st August 0900hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Panthers -8 Handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August

The Penrith Panthers kept their powerful season going last weekend as they chalked up yet another win.

It’s a big streak of success that they are riding at the moment as they retain top spot in the ladder.

Will they keep their momentum going against the dangerous Sharks, whose only loss in their last five was a narrow one against the Parramatta Eels?

Bet at Bet365

 

Penrith Panthers Preview – Another win coming for the Panthers?

The Penrith Panthers are the model of consistency and power this season as they lead the NRL ladder.

They stretched their form to a five-match winning streak last weekend as they collected an 18-12 victory over the Warriors.

Once again they proved to be such a difficult side to break down and in none of their last five have they conceded more than 14 points in a single fixture.

The Panthers are playing some unstoppable stuff at the moment and the average winning margin by them has been 13.5 points.

They are the match favourites in this one and so going straight to the handicaps margins we see a Panthers -8 option at 10/11* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).

Penrith are a perfect six from six this season in their designated home games.

Our betting prediction:
Panthers 1-12 winning margin
7/2

Bet at Betfair

(odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August)

 

They will take confidence from having already toppled the Sharks this season.

They met just back on July 10th and the Panthers stormed away with a 56-24 victory over Cronulla.

That made it back to back wins over Cronulla for Penrith, snapping a run of seven straight losses against the Sharks.

 

Cronulla Sharks Preview – Can Cronulla come up with a challenge?

The Sharks are in good shape at the moment having hit a purple patch of form for the season.

They have won four of their last five games and the loss in that sequence was a 14-12 reverse against the Eels in the penultimate match.

Cronulla has been scoring a lot better recently having produced at least 28 points in each of their last four successes.

So they could possibly throw down a decent challenge to the Panthers on Friday and we expect this to be a high-scoring fixture.

In the Total Points market for Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks betting we would swing over 43.5 points for 5/6 odds* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).

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Cronulla Sharks have pretty much matched up to the scoring of the Penrith Panthers this season, but there is a big difference between them in defensive output.

The Sharks have averaged 21 points per game against them, while the Panthers have averaged 13 per game against.

Interestingly the Sharks have won 9 of 16 previous trips to the Panthers Stadium, so won’t be overwhelmed by the venue.

Another interesting statistic is that the Sharks have scored at least 20 points (win or lose) in each of their last nine games against Penrith.

 

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Betting Advice

This is a fascinating setup. The Panthers look untouchable at the moment as they are just steaming along.

But we feel that the Sharks have enough about them at the moment to make a decent fist of this and not get pummelled.

However, at the end of the day, we would still have to support the victory for the Panthers.

 

Key Facts – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Betting Tip

  • Penrith Panthers are on a five match winning streak
  • Penrith Panthers have won the last 2 against the Sharks
  • Cronulla Sharks are W4 L1 in their last five games

 

We couldn’t push it to a very big margin however and that -8 for them to cover sounds just about right for 10/11 odds* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).

It is just the extra strength and quality that the Panthers have in defence which is going to be the big difference-maker on the day.

Either way, this should be the highlight of Friday’s fixtures in the NRL.

 

The best betting odds for Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks

Penrith Panthers to win: 1/3 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Cronulla Sharks to win: 9/4 at Bet365