Parramatta star Mitch Moses insists Penrith remain the hardest team to beat in the NRL, despite the Eels being the only side to have a winning regular-season record over the Panthers this decade.
Parramatta's ability to trouble the three-time defending premiers is best summed up in their regular-season run against the Panthers, which now stands at 5-3 since the start of 2020.
The Eels' record against the Panthers is somehow better than results against the likes of Manly (4-4), North Queensland (3-2) and perennial strugglers St George Illawarra (2-2) in the same time period.
Despite that, Moses remains adamant the Panthers are the biggest challenge for them in the competition, ahead of Friday night's battle of the west in Penrith.
"Yes (they are the toughest to face), because they're a great side," said Moses, who has recovered from a groin strain to be fit for Friday night.
"In the last three years they've shown that they're a quality side.
"They're so physical and they can move the ball and put points on you whenever they want.
"But they are obviously hard to break as well. They've got great defence. They've been probably in the top-four defensive teams in the last five years."
But when it matters most Penrith have beaten Parramatta, including in a knockout final in 2021, qualifying final in 2022 and that year's grand final.
In the regular season it's a different story, with Moses kicking the match-winning field goal in the first clash last year before the Eels trounced Penrith 32-18 in the return match.
Parramatta's record also includes two recent wins at Penrith Stadium, where the Panthers have lost only four of their past 39 against all teams.
"Any time you come up against Penrith, they're probably thinking the same as well," Moses said.
"It's always going to be a physical game. It's always going to be a tough game and it's usually been decided within one or two points."
While Moses believes there is no science in Parramatta's record, there is a general thought the difference is in their direct-running forward pack that offloads more than any other in the NRL.
"You've got to look at your skill set Parramatta has," Eels prop Joe Ofahengaue said.
"Every forward has an offload, we've got some of the best halves and the one of the best fullbacks in the game.
"So for us middles we've just got to lay a great platform for them and they'll take over the game."
Backrower Ryan Matterson also believes it is the fact the Eels try to go through Penrith's pack, rather than around them, is a significant difference.
"Teams like to try and go around Penrith and and make it pretty, and I don't think that's the way to do it," Matterson said.
"You've got to go toe-to-toe with them and beat them at their own game, which is the power game. We've done that last couple of times."
