The Panthers head into this match undefeated and on a high after beating premiers Storm, while the Sea Eagles appear in all sorts, being down on confidence after three straight losses.
They could also be forgiven for scratching their heads a little. They ran for more metres, made more post-contact and kick metres, more tackle busts and four line breaks against the Dragons a week ago and still lost badly - by 26 points.
The answer could lie in the fact Manly got through 25 from 38 sets for a 66% completion rate, which isn't going to win you many NRL games.
The Panthers completed at 78 per cent against Storm but, more importantly, conceded only one penalty and made just 11 errors in 80 minutes of football.
The Sea Eagles are home at Lottoland, which may help a little, but it's still 16th versus 1st on the ladder so Manly might be friendless in the tipping department.
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The rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Morgan Boyle is promoted to the starting pack with Jack Gosiewski shifting back to the bench. Toafofoa Sipley dropped out of last week's side that went down to the Dragons.
Star fullback Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is at least another round away from riding to the rescue. Stand-in fullback Dylan Walker had a much better game against the Dragons and holds on to the No.1 jersey.
Injuries to key back-rowers saw young playmaker Josh Schuster move into the pack and he was more than up for the challenge so he'll again wear the No.12 jersey.
Tevita Funa and Christian Tuipulotu dropped off the reserves list on game day after Morgan Harper and Christian Tuipulotu were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Penrith: The Panthers are 1-17 as named on Tuesday. With Dylan Edwards expected to miss a month after breaking his hand in the grand final rematch, Stephen Crichton shifts to fullback, Matt Burton goes to the centres and co-captain Nathan Cleary returns at halfback.
The forward pack remains unchanged and Spencer Leniu has been named to take his place on the interchange despite hurting his shoulder against the Storm.
Scott Sorensen, Jaeman Salmon, Billy Burns and J'Maine Hopgood made way from the intial 21-man squad.
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Key match-up
Daly Cherry-Evans v Nathan Cleary: It's an early glimpse of the Origin series with NSW half Cleary up against Queensland halfback Cherry-Evans. Could this also be an early guide to where the Kangaroos No.7 jersey might fall later this year?
Cleary has two try assists from two games - he missed round three due to concussion - while Cherry-Evans has zip from his three matches.
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Stat attack
Manly have scored just five tries in three games - but have conceded 20 (nine against the Roosters, five from the Rabbitohs and six by the Dragons).
From a team which has representative forwards Martin Taupau and Jake Trbojevic, along with Test halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, among their senior players, it's not a great start to 2021.
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