Eels v Dragons NRL preview & free Rd 26 betting tips | August 31

Eels v Dragons R26 best bets

Round 26 match preview: Parramatta Eels v St George Dragons

Saturday afternoon football kicks off in Parramatta with the St George Illawarra Dragons travelling to take on the equal-last placed Eels at CommBank Stadium in round 26 of the 2024 NRL Premiership.

The home side are continuing to battle their way to the season’s end, having lost their last three matches in a row. The club is still, however, fighting to avoid winning the wooden spoon, and a loss here could put them in a battle against the Tigers to avoid last place next weekend.

At the other end of the field, the Dragons are fighting to play finals football for the first time in years, sitting two points clear of the Broncos, Dolphins, Knights and Raiders on the NRL ladder. A loss here will put them at serious risk of dropping out of the top eight.

Eels interim head coach Trent Barrett has made one change to his side following last week’s loss to the Broncos in Brisbane. Jake Tago has been dropped from the interchange bench and Luca Moretti (quad) has been called up as his replacement. One more late change could be made with rumours circulating that captain and fullback Clint Gutherson is suffering from a hand injury.

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan has also made the one change to his bench, recalling Raymond Faitala-Mariner in place of Lyhkan King-Togia. Moses Suli has also been named in the reserves and could be a late inclusion to the side as he looks to return from a knee injury.

Eels v Dragons NRL R26 teams list

Parramatta Eels

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Blaize Talagi
5. Sean Russell
6. Dylan Brown
7. Daejarn Asi
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Brendan Hands
10. Shaun Lane
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Joe Ofahengaue
14. Joey Lussick
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Luca Moretti
17. Dan Keir

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Max Plath
10. Tevita Pangai Junior
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Kenneath Bromwich
14. Oryn Keeley
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Ray Stone
17. Sean O’Sullivan

Eels v Dragons Rd 26 betting predictions

The Dragons opened as -178.57 favourites to win this match, but the odds at Neds have drifted out as far as -153.85 since team lists have been named.

The Eels have won three of their last five clashes with the Dragons, and the last two wins have been at this venue. The Dragons suffered a 28-point loss to the Sharks last weekend which will motivate this side immensely to bounce back, win and secure their spot in the finals this year. Given they’ve covered the line in each of their last nine matches following a loss, the best value bet in this match is backing the Dragons to win by 3 points or more at -111.11 odds with top NRL bookmakers.

In each of the Eels’ last four games at this ground, the opposition left winger gas scored at least one try. Last week Maika Sivo was defending the left wing of the Broncos where he missed three tackles and allowed two tries to be scored. This weekend, Dragon Christian Tuipulotu will be attacking Sivo and is a great value play to score two tries or more (+250).

The Eels have conceded 31 points or more in total in each of their last three appearances at their home ground, and each of these games have finished over the total match points line. Should the Eels concede 31 points and the Dragons cover the line to win, this will be a high-scoring affair with more than 53 points scored (-111.11).

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