Cowboys vs Eels Prediction: Relentlessness the order of the day for North Queensland
The surging North Queensland Cowboys have the chance to add pressure to the top four sides in the NRL Premiership on Friday when they host the Parramatta Eels at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium (20:00 local, 11:00 BST, Watch NRL).
Todd Payten began the year under serious pressure but has led the Cowboys to sixth spot one third of the way through the season. My Cowboys vs Eels predictions are below with full team news and the latest match odds.
Cowboys vs Eels Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publishing
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The home side are huge favourites to collect the win, with Betfred pricing them at 4/11. The Eels are 23/10 and the draw is 18/1.
In the two-way handicap, the Eels are given a 9.5-point leg-up in return for a shortening to 20/21. The Cowboys are 4/5 to overcome the difference.
Team News
Jeremiah Nanai misses out due to a shoulder injury picked up in the Cowboys’ win against the Bulldogs in Round 9, so in comes Sam McIntyre in the back row.
The only other change is on the bench, with Xavier Keriisk coming in for the promoted McIntyre. Jason Taumalolo will overtake Johnathan Thurston to become the Cowboys’ all-time record appearance maker by stepping out for a 295th time.
Will Penisini (pelvic injury) and Ryley Smith (sternum) are out for Jason Ryles’ Eels, so in come Jordan Samrani and Tallyn Da Silva in the two changes from the XIII which lost 36-14 to the Warriors last Saturday.
Toni Mataele, Apa Twidle and Teancum Brown are included on the extended bench.
Handicap 3-way: Cowboys -10 @ 1/1
If we’re agreed that North Queensland will win the game, then it’s only sensible to assume they’ll do so with a bit to spare.
Four of the Cowboys’ six victories to date have been achieved by 12 or more, while the Eels half-dozen defeats have included five clearing a 15+ margin.
And the Cowboys are simply a far better side than Parramatta on this season’s evidence, with the likes of Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden really stepping up in 2026.
So that 1/1 looks very generous given the opposite trends these clubs are following just now.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Cowboys to Win Both Halves @ 7/5
In three of their six wins so far, Payten’s side have come out on top either side of the break, while the Eels have lost both halves in five of six losses to date.
Those two stats combined make the 41.7% implied probability of the 7/5 price looks huge.
If the Cowboys get on top at any point in the first half, I can see any way back for the ailing Eels.
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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