Eels vs Titans NRL R1 betting tips & top odds – Sunday, March 13

The Parramatta Eels kick off their 2022 NRL Premiership campaign against a talented young Gold Coast Titans outfit on Sunday afternoon at CommBank Stadium.

Parramatta will be looking to start this season as strong as previous years, having won seven of their last 10 round one matches. In the last two meetings alone, the Eels have won by a mammoth total of 58 points. However, this matchup isn’t so straightforward for Parramatta. Interestingly, in 21 encounters head-to-head, the Titans have been victors on 11 occasions.

Injuries have decimated the Parramatta backline as assumed starters Mika Sivo and Haze Dunster sit the beginning of the season out with severe knee injuries. Replacement journeyman Bailey Simonsson and rookie Sean Russell have barely 50 first-grade games between them marking up on former Queensland Origin winger Phillip Sami, along with Corey Thompson, who wouldn’t be out of place in the Maroons side. Eels captain Clint Gutherson will look to lead strongly as always, along with halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses. But with key injuries on the wings, Parramatta may be left vulnerable.

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The battle of the forwards could be where this game is won, with representative talent lining up on all edges. Eels enforcers Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo will look to be damaging as always through the middle with the support of Reed Mahoney and Ryan Matterson. The edges looks equally threatening with 2021 Dally M second-rower Isaiah Papali’i and Shaun Lane, who was nothing short of destructive during pre-season trials. These two edge back-rowers will have plenty of early ball in clear space from their halves to be as damaging as possible in their positions.

That said, taking on Queensland forwards Moeaki Fotuaika and new Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be no walk in the park. Life doesn’t get easier on the edge as David Fafita is rumoured to have recovered from injuries that hampered him last season, and Beau Fermor has won the other starting second-row spot for the Titans over the highly experienced and decorated Kevin Proctor.

Key matchup: Gutherson vs Campbell

The battle to watch in this game is the fullbacks. Everyone knows what Clint Gutherson is capable of, but Jayden Campbell is largely untapped in the top grade. Averaging 166m in just seven games, if Campbell isn’t scoring tries himself, he will set them up. Already proving he can break the line and set up tries, Campbell’s injection into the game will be the difference between winning and losing. His natural ability will create free space for those around him if the Eels miss their marks defensively.

Eels vs Titans predictions & best bets

Gold Coast Titans have the combination of talent and experience to make this clash Sunday afternoon very tough for Parramatta first up. The Titans can cause an upset here, and should they do it, Jayden Campbell will score a try along the way.

Eels vs Titans same-game multi