Parramatta Eels vs Dolphins Prediction: Eels may prove too slippery for Dolphins

Parramatta Eels and the Dolphins lost by 10-point margins at the NRL's Magic Weekend in Brisbane last time out and the struggling pair will relish this opportunity to bounce back in the opening fixture of round 10 (10:50 kick-off). 

Alex Hilton provides his best bets in his Parramatta Eels and Dolphins prediction piece, as well as the essential team news and match odds for this clash at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. 

Team News 

Matt Doorey starts on the bench in place of Sam Tuivaiti in Parramatta's only change from last week. Hooker Brendan Hands is listed among the reserves as he closes in on a return from a knee injury. Ryan Matterson is listed as 18th man. 

For the Dolphins, Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Kurt Donoghoe (ankle) have returned to boost their forward line. Mark Nicholls will start on the bench but Oryn Keeley misses out. Jeremy Marshall-King remains absent with a cut injury picked up earlier in the campaign. 

Parramatta Eels vs Dolphins Odds

Parramatta were hammered 44-16 by the Dolphins in last season's meeting and they are edgy 4/5 favourites to exact their revenge in this round ten clash.  

Things are expected to be much closer this time around, with the handicap mark set at just two points and a Dolphins win is an 11/10 shot.

Rugby League Odds

Parramatta Eels to win by one to 12 @ 11/5

It may only be round 10 of the NRL campaign but this already has the look of a must-win contest between these struggling sides. 

Parramatta Eels start the round bottom of the pile with the Dolphins in 14th due only to a better points difference, and the pair will be keen to start improving their positions with the halfway stage of the competition approaching. 

The two previous meetings between the duo have yielded a win each but both have been high-scoring affairs and this could be another lively encounter with both sides struggling to tighten up in defence. 

Losses for both at Magic Weekend came by margins of 10 points and an Eels win by no more than 12 looks the best bet in this contest. 

Parra have improved since the return of inspirational playmaker Mitchell Moses and his ability to break out the best of their attack could prove the difference in this crucial clash. 

The Eels have won their last two home matches, while the Dolphins have won just one of their four fixtures on the road, so preference is for a narrow home win on Thursday. 

Over 25.5 Parramatta Eels total match points @ 5/6

The Dolphins have shipped 76 points across their last two matches, while they are conceding at a rate of 23.5 points per game this term, so that gives decent scope to expect a chunky score for the Eels this week. 

A points line of 25.5 has been set for this encounter and Parramatta are fancied to get over the mark against the Dolphins. 

The two meetings between these sides have yielded points totals of 60 and 68 points and, with both defences struggling this season, another lofty score is expected. 

The Eels are scoring at a rate of just under 17 points per game, but they have faced some of the better defences in the competition so far in this campaign and this looks a good opportunity to improve matters in that regard, particularly with Moses again calling the shots.

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