<p>Viva Las Vegas! The footy is back and once again to kickstart the new season we’re heading stateside.</p> <p>The Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks will play the second game of a special Vegas double-header this weekend.</p> <p>Both of these sides faced off in the second of last year’s two Preliminary Finals. It will be Cronulla seeking a measure of revenge here after their season was ended one game short of the Grand Final, as Penrith ran out 26-6 winners.</p> <p>Can the Sharks secure some revenge in<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/round-1"> round 1</a>? Or will Penrith run it back and record another convincing win?</p> <p>Let’s take a look at how both teams will line up for this season's opener, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Panthers vs Sharks Round 1 Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Penrith Panthers</h3> <p>1. Dylan Edwards<br /> 2. Casey McLean<br /> 3. Izack Tago<br /> 4. Luke Garner<br /> 5. Paul Alamoti<br /> 6. Jack Cole<br /> 7. Nathan Cleary<br /> 8. Moses Leota<br /> 9. Mitch Kenny<br /> 10. Lindsay Smith<br /> 11. Scott Sorensen<br /> 12. Liam Martin<br /> 13. Isaah Yeo<br /> 14. Daine Laurie<br /> 15. Isaiah Papali'i<br /> 16. Matthew Eisenhuth<br /> 17. Luron Patea</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Cronulla Sharks</h3> <p>1. Will Kennedy<br /> 2. Samuel Stonestreet<br /> 3. Jesse Ramien<br /> 4. Kayal Iro<br /> 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo<br /> 6. Braydon Trindall<br /> 7. Nicho Hynes<br /> 8. Addin Fonua-Blake<br /> 9. Blayke Brailey<br /> 10. Oregon Kaufusi<br /> 11. Briton Nikora<br /> 12. Teig Wilton<br /> 13. Cameron McInnes<br /> 14. Daniel Atkinson<br /> 15. Siosifa Talakai<br /> 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele<br /> 17. Tom Hazelton</p>

<h2>Panthers vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>It has been many a moon since we or anyone for that matter, confidently tipped against the Penrith Panthers.</p> <p>Four consecutive titles has that effect on people and we’re not about to change our tune despite them losing Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris to rival clubs.</p> <p>The H2H odds have them as the favourites here and we’re further inclined to back Ivan Cleary’s men as they have won eight of their last nine matches against Cronulla.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Penrith Panthers.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>There’s a very clear front runner for us in this market – Paul Alamoti. He crossed for a double when these two sides last met, which helped his side win through to their fifth straight Grand Final.</p> <p>He then scored the sealer a week later, to ensure Penrith would go on to lift their fourth straight Provan-Summons Trophy.</p> <p>He proved at the back end of last year he has all the makings of an elite finisher and with Nathyan Cleary supplying the ammo. we’re tipping Alamoti to start this season how he ended the last one.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Paul Alamoti.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Seemingly the kings of the grind, each of Penrith’s last six matches have gone under the total match points line of 39.5.</p> <p>Attack wins games and defence wins championships. Penrith have proven that old adage to be true four times over, and we don’t see their standards on their own line dropping anytime soon.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p>

<h2>Panthers vs Sharks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, March 2, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 3:30pm AEDT.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.</p>