The Penrith Panthers play the Manly Sea Eagles in a Sunday night blockbuster as the round 9 finale as it shapes to be the most compelling clash of the round.

Back to their ruthless best last weekend, Penrith dominated the Knights 44-12 with a first-half hat-trick from Dylan Edwards.

They will be looking to cement their status as the competition’s benchmark side.

Manly arrive with a lot of confidence, having won all four games since Kieran Foran took the reins as coach, with Sunday’s victory over the Eels.

The Sea Eagles will chase a fifth straight win, making this a genuine litmus test for just how far this Manly side has come in just over a month from the Anthony Seibold sacking.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this match, check out our Panthers vs Sea Eagles tips and predictions below.

Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

For Manly, Corey Waddell has suffered a ruptured pectoral muscle and will miss a significant amount of time, as Nathan Brown has been called in to replace him.

The Panthers have named an unchanged side from last week.

Jack Cogger will make his 100th NRL appearance off the bench.

We expect the Panthers to win this game, as they have been the more trustworthy side this competition, and no one other team besides the Bulldogs have really clamped down Penrith this season.

Betting tip: Penrith Panthers.

First Try Scorer Prediction

The forward packs from both sides will be tested and with Penrith’s quick pace from their forwards, Isaah Yeo is primed to score as he gets plenty of touches of the ball in the Panthers attack.

Betting tip: Isaah Yeo.

Over/Under Prediction

Five of Penrith's last six matches have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (51.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

In the Panthers last three of four wins, they have covered the line, missing out on the Dolphins as that was decided by a field goal in golden point.

Betting tip: Panthers (-12.5) line.

Panthers vs Sea Eagles Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Dylan Edwards 

Dylan Edwards has scored at least one try in each of Penrith's last four matches.

Edwards also scored a hat-trick in the Panthers dominant victory over the Knights in Round 8.

Casey McLean 

Casey McLean has scored at least one try in each of Penrith's last four home matches against opponents that were ranked lower on the ladder.

Tolutau Koula 

Tolutau Koula has scored a try in five of Manly's last six matches as an underdog.

Lehi Hopoate

Lehi Hopoate has scored at least one try in each of Manly's last four matches.

Panthers vs Sea Eagles Teams

Penrith Panthers Team List

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Thomas Jenkins 

3. Paul Alamoti

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To’o

6. Blaize Talagi

7. Nathan Cleary (c)

8. Moses Leota

9. Freddy Lussick

10. Lindsay Smith 

11. Isaiah Papali’i 

12. Luke Garner

13. Isaah Yeo 

14. Jack Cogger

15. Scott Sorensen 

16. Kalani Going

17. Billy Phillips 

18. Izack Tago

Manly Sea Eagles Team List

1. Tolutau Koula

2. Jason Saab 

3. Clayton Faulalo

4. Reuben Garrick 

5. Lehi Hopoate

6. Luke Brooks

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Taniela Paseka

9. Brandon Wakeham

10. Kobe Hetherington 

11. Haumole Olakau’atu 

12. Ben Trbojevic

13. Jake Trbojevic (c)

14. Jake Simpkin

15. Nathan Brown

16. Ethan Bullemor 

17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

18. Blake Wilson

Panthers vs Sea Eagles Match Details

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Kick-off: 6:15pm AEST.

Location: Commbank Stadium, Sydney.