Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Prediction: Sharks to gobble up the Eels
Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels get the party started at Magic Weekend in the NRL this week when the pair face off at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday (09:00 kick-off).
Alex Hilton provides his best bets in his Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown on Australia's Gold Coast.
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Betting Tips
Team News
Sharks: Centre KL Iro is set to return from a hamstring injury in a straight swap with Mawene Hiroti, who injured his knee in last week's loss to the Wests Tigers. Braden Hamlin-Uele could feature for the first time since round three, and has been named on the bench in the only other change to the side.
Eels: Suspended forward Kelma Tuilagi is replaced by Charlie Guymer in the back row. Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses will partner in the halves, with Isaiah Iongi lining up at fullback.
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Odds
Cronulla have won two of their last three meetings with Parramatta and they are warm 1/2 favourites to win this latest meeting in Brisbane.
They asked to cover a six-point line on the handicap, but they were well beaten by the Eels the last time these two met.
It was 34-22 to Parramatta in the last match-up and the Eels are 13/8 to make it back-to-back wins.
A Parra win by no more than 12 points again is an 11/4 shot.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Stats
- Wayne Bennett has won both of his previous NRL games against opposite number Craig Fitzgibbon
- The Rabbitohs have won three of their last five matches against the Sharks
- Bennett sides have trailed by more than six points at half-time only once in his last 25 games
Cronulla Sharks -6 @ 20/21
Cronulla Sharks were edged out on golden point by Wests Tigers last week but they can bounce back immediately against one of the weaker sides in the NRL.
The Sharks are the model of inconsistency with four wins and four losses coming from their opening eight matches, but this week's opponents, Parramatta Eels, would love to be carrying that kind of record into round nine.
The Eels have sunk to 16th in the standings following just two wins from their opening seven fixtures - they lost the other five - and they could be out of their depth this week against a side who should have won last week before losing in extra-time.
A 38-22 win over Wests Tigers last time out has given Parra's record a better look but they head to Brisbane on the back of a bye week and that may work against them for this contest.
It should be a lively affair. It was 34-22 the Eels when they last met last season, but preference is for Sharks to cover a six-point handicap given their better form this term.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Total match points over 46.5 @ 10/11
The last two meetings between these two have seen exactly 56 points scored so backing at least 47 to be chalked up this week could pay off.
Both sides will want to put on a show in the opening fixture of Magic Weekend and that mark has been crossed in each of the Eels' past two outings.
The Sharks' totals have been more modest this term but three of their eight matches have cleared 47 points so it looks well within reach this Friday.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.
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