Panthers primed to topple premiers 

The best betting angle in Rugby League is taking a big early-season home underdog and that is what we are doing here and loading up on the Panthers.

Home underdogs of 4 or more in the first four rounds of the season are a remarkable 45-18 ATS since 2008. Non-interstate underdogs of 4 or more cover 71% of games in Round 1. Underdogs of 6 or more are 20-10 ATS in Round 1 since 2008.

Penrith are a must play here, particularly on the back of a 12-6 cover record in home day games.

The Sydney Roosters have won 8 of the last 12 meetings against the Panthers with the teams splitting two games last year. The Panthers have won five of the last seven meetings at Penrith Stadium. The under has hit in 10 of 14 meetings with eight of the last nine failing to surpass 38 points.

Penrith enjoyed a strong preseason with a 32-4 win over the Wests Tigers before a 22-all draw with Parramatta. The Panthers were controversially eliminated in the quarters of the Nines. The Roosters won the World Club Challenge before a second-string team lost 58-0 to Newcastle. The Roosters put little effort into their Nines campaign.

The Wolf is all over the Panthers plus here.

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ERL PREDICTION

Sydney Roosters for the win.

If we had to pick a Line

Penrith Panthers +6.5