Western Sydney rivals Penrith and Parramatta are set for another epic contest when they face off in a Saturday night showdown at CommBank Stadium. 

The two clubs have long battled for supremacy in Sydney’s west and this week’s clash marks the latest instalment in a fierce rivalry. 

Penrith have dominated their opponents throughout the opening three rounds of the competition, conceding just 10 points on the way to an undefeated start to the season. 

The Panthers have swept aside three of last year’s finals teams in the process, beating Brisbane, Cronulla and the Roosters to assert their premiership credentials. 

Fullback Dylan Edwards is back to his best, winger Brian To’o is producing freakish plays and halfback Nathan Cleary is pulling the strings. 

Penrith like to dissect opponents with surgical precision but they will have to counter the unpredictability of the Eels to claim their fourth win of the year. 

After a Round 1 hiccup, Parramatta have defeated Brisbane and St George Illawarra in back-to-back weeks. 

Last Sunday’s victory over the Dragons was a gritty win that saw Jason Ryles’ squad fiercely defend their own line throughout the second half. 

The Eels will be without J’maine Hopgood on Saturday and for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL last week and they will be looking to the young forwards in their pack to step up.

Team News

Panthers: Utility Jack Cogger joins the bench on his return from concussion and Jack Cole makes way. Premiership winning centre Izack Tago is again part of the six-man bench as he looks to force his way back into a team that is flying at 3-0. 

Eels: Brian Kelly is back for his first game since Round 1 as he takes over in the centres from Jordan Samrani (knee). The loss of J’maine Hopgood to a season-ending ACL injury sees Luca Moretti join the bench for his first NRL game of the year. 

Stat Attack

The Panthers have won their last four games against the Eels.
The Eels have won their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
The Panthers are aiming for a 4-0 start for the third time since 2021.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored nine tries in his last five games at CommBank Stadium.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 10 tries in his last 10 games against the Eels.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.