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

March 7, 2024 4:19 pm.by Jack Hudson

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs tips


Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Betting Odds & Game Info
Best odds	Eels -238.1 at Bet365 \| Bulldogs +190 at Neds
When	Saturday, March 9 \| 5:30pm AEDT
Where	CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Last time they met	Eels 34–12 Bulldogs (Rd 15, 2023)
Watch live	Fox Sports, Kayo

Eels v Bulldogs best bets

Parramatta Eels by 13+ points

+160
@
Neds

Shaun Lane anytime tryscorer

+380
@
Bet365

Over 39.5 total points

-111.11
@
Unibet

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

Clint Gutherson
Bailey Simonsson
Will Penisini
Morgan Harper
Sean Russell
Dylan Brown
Mitchell Moses
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Joey Lussick
Junior Paulo
Shaun Lane
Bryce Cartwright
J’maine Hopgood
Brendan Hands
Ryan Matterson
Joe Ofahengaue
Kelma Tuilagi

Canterbury Bulldogs

Blake Taaffe
Blake Wilson
Jacob Kiraz
Stephen Crichton
Josh Addo-Carr
Matt Burton
Drew Hutchison
Max King
Reed Mahoney
Poasa Faamausili
Viliame Kikau
Jacob Preston
Jaeman Salmon
Kurt Mann
Samuel Hughes
Josh Curran
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 BetOnline 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.