Tigers vs Eels Predictions: Wooden spoon heading Parramatta’s way

Wests Tigers and the Parramatta Eels, the bottom two teams in the NRL, round off their disappointing seasons on Friday morning (09:00) with the loser being handed the unwanted wooden spoon.

Both sides have won six games and lost 17 to leave them on 18 points apiece and the pair have also conceded the same amount of points (690), with Parramatta's slightly better attack keeping them off the bottom. Read on for my Wests vs Eels prediction ahead of this clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Team News

Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer has been ruled out with a shoulder injury and has been replaced by Latu Fainu, whose spot on the bench has been filled by Tony Sukkar.

Solomon Alaimalo is unavailable because of concussion protocols, so Junior Tupou shifts to the wing with Josh Feledy coming into the centres for his second match of the campaign.

Rugby League Odds

Parramatta welcome back wing Sean Russell, who missed last week's game due to illness, and Kelma Tuilagi after his late withdrawal before the Dragons victory.

Shaun Lane switches to prop and Ofahiki Ogden drops down to the bench.

Wests vs Eels Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Wests vs Eels page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

The Tigers are 5/4 to pick up the win on home soil, with the draw priced at 20/1, while Parramatta are the 4/6 favourites to grab the victory that would ensure they swerve the wooden spoon.

Betfred have provided a Price Boost for this encounter, with either team to win by 1-5 points now 3/1 having been 5/2.

Tigers to win @ 5/4

It has been a miserable time in the NRL for Wests Tigers over recent years and they need a victory here to ensure they don't land the wooden spoon for the third year in a row.

Benji Marshall's side have at least already improved on their record from the past two seasons, with their six victories in 2024 beating the four registered in both 2022 and 2023, and there is reason for optimism heading into Friday's encounter.

The Tigers are on a two-game winning streak, beating the Rabbitohs 18-16 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium before overcoming the Sea Eagles 34-26 at Leichhardt Oval, and those performances should breathe confidence into the squad.

Parramatta snapped a three-match losing run with a 44-40 home success over the Dragons last time out, a game that saw them concede five tries in 10 minutes in a wild end.

The Eels have struggled on the road this season, losing 10 of their 11 away assignments, and another defeat, that would see them collect the wooden spoon for the first time since 2018, could be on the cards.

Over 53.5 total points @ 10/11

One thing this game shouldn't be is dull and plenty of points could be put on the board, with over 53.5 looking like a solid play at just shorter than evens.

These two have the joint-worst defences in the league, conceding 690 points each, while the Tigers have conceded less than 20 points in just three of their 23 NRL matches.

Parramatta have managed to limit just two teams to under 20 points this term and they have conceded 30-plus points in five of their last six outings.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.