THE NRL's battle of the west has never been this fierce.
When is the last time you remember Penrith and Parramatta both being favourites to finish the season with the wooden spoon?
That was the news coming out of TAB Sportsbet last night when they posted the new betting markets ahead of round four.
In the wake of their dreadful start to the 2011 season, the Panthers are the $4.50 favourites to finish the year with the most loses while the Eels are now right on their heels at $5.00 for rugby league's most unwanted title.
"It's a very congested market," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said. "Cronulla and the Cowboys were the top two sides before we kicked a ball this year while Penrith started this as a $16 chance. They are $4.50 favourites after three rounds."
However, Panthers flyer Michael Jennings yesterday fired back.
"I think people forget we finished second last year," Jennings said.
"There were two games we didn't perform to our best, but I bet [bookmakers] didn't see us against Parra. It's silly people are even talking about it."
But Munsie is adamant the clubs deserve to be favourites for the spoon.
"Parramatta got rid of their coach, promised a lot, were very well supported before the first round," he said.
"Then they came out and scored an upset win against the Warriors in New Zealand but have been very, very poor their next two."
Interestingly, the Eels are $1.80 favourites over the Cowboys who are paying $2 on Saturday night.
The Panthers though are paying $2.85 against the Broncos who are at $1.42 to win on Friday night.
