The Chooks will be out to deal the Panthers’ finals hopes a blow when the two teams collide at the SCG on Saturday night. The Roosters look in ripping form ahead of the finals, brushing aside the Dragons 34-12 at Kogarah. Penrith went down 24-10 to the Cowboys as firm favourites in Townsville last Friday night, but find themselves round 24’s biggest outsider.

Centre Latrell Mitchell is back after sitting out the win against the Dragons, while skipper Boyd Cordner is listed as a reserve after he too works his way back from a calf complaint.

There are a couple of forward reshuffles for Penrith, while 20-year-old back rower Billy Burns has been named on the bench to debut for Ivan Cleary’s side.

Penrith snared a 19-10 win in round 13 against the Roosters as part of their seven game winning streak, but prior to that, the Chooks won their previous two matches against the Panthers.

The side from the foot of the mountains will have their work cut out for them this weekend, with the Roosters winning three of their past four games by 20+ points. The Chooks are the most prolific scoring team in the comp, averaging 27 points per game and giving up just 15, while the Panthers scoring is an issue, with just 16 points per game.

All signs point to a comfortable Roosters win, so The Wolf is going to continue to back the Chooks at the big lines until they disappoint.

Wolf Facts

H2H: Roosters -12 ($1.90)

Value: Roosters 13+ / Over 39.5 ($3.20)

ERL Prediction

Sydney Roosters for the win