Eels v Bulldogs NRL betting tips & predictions | Round 1, 2024

Eels v Bulldogs best bets

Eels v Bulldogs match preview

Super Saturday football returns for round one of the 2024 NRL Premiership with the Parramatta Eels hosting the Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium. Both sides had disappointing seasons for various reasons in 2023 and will be looking to start the new year in strong fashion.

The Bulldogs have completely revamped their roster, bringing in a completely new group of players with none from the 2021 squad left over. Blake Taafe, Stephen Crichton, Drew Hutchison, Poasa Faamausili, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann and Josh Curran have all been named to make their club debuts.

Meanwhile, the Eels will be without Maika Sivo (suspension) will not begin his season at CommBank Stadium this weekend with Sean Russell named on the wing and Morgan Harper named to make his club debut.

Eels v Bulldogs team lists

Parramatta Eels

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Will Penisini
4. Morgan Harper
5. Sean Russell
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Joey Lussick
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Brendan Hands
15. Ryan Matterson
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Kelma Tuilagi

Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Blake Taaffe
2. Blake Wilson
3. Jacob Kiraz
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Matt Burton
7. Drew Hutchison
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Poasa Faamausili
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Kurt Mann
15. Samuel Hughes
16. Josh Curran
17. Kurtis Morrin

Eels v Bulldogs betting predictions

The Bulldogs have only won a third of their matches at CommBank Stadium, while the Eels have won their last two games there with a 64-16 aggregate score. Parramatta are far more settled in terms of combinations on the field than Canterbury, who have several new recruits lining up in crucial positions. The +160 at Marantelli Bet is exceptional value for the Eels to win by 13 or more points.

Shaun Lane’s return to the field in trials has been impressive, and he looks set to reignite his brilliant combination with Eels halfback Mitchell Moses. At his best, Lane is a strong ball-carrier with a very different body shape to most second-rowers in the NRL, which makes him very hard to tackle. Online bookmakers are paying +380 for Lane to score a try at any time, and that is great value.

Dry, hot weather has been predicted for Parramatta on Saturday, which will aide the Eels in running up a big score. Some 11 of the visitors’ last 12 matches have gone above the totals points line, so the over 39.5 at -111.11 looks a safe bet.

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