NRL Round 6 preview: Eels v Raiders betting tips

Best bets for Eels vs Raiders

NRL Round 6: Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders preview

The Canberra Raiders head to the Top End on Saturday night looking to consolidate their place in the top eight against a Parramatta Eels side finally off the mark in the 2025 NRL season.

Jason Ryles’ men pulled off a dramatic golden-point win over the Dragons last week, yet the Eels remain bottom of the NRL ladder thanks to a -85 points differential after only five games.

Parra’s attack will be missing one of its brightest lights this week, so it is no surprise the top online bookmakers have them as $2.80 outsiders.

Darwin hasn’t been kind to the blue and gold in recent seasons — they’ve lost three straight games at TIO Stadium, leaking a combined 105 points — and things won’t get easier against a Canberra outfit riding high on confidence.

The Raiders, who sit seventh with a 3-2 record, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last week against Cronulla thanks to a late Seb Kris stunner and have stuck solid with the same 17.

Canberra Raiders have won the last three meetings between these two sides, including a 41-8 hammering in Round 5 last year.

With more attacking polish, a settled spine, and one of the better edges in the NRL, the Green Machine look well placed to keep their momentum rolling — especially against a disrupted Parramatta Eels outfit that’s still finding its feet.

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Eels vs Raiders NRL Round 6 team news

Parramatta Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Will Penisini
4. Sean Russell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Dylan Brown
7. Dean Hawkins
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Ryley Smith
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Dylan Walker
15. Luca Moretti
16. Charlie Guymer
17. Sam Tuivaiti
18. Joash Papalii
19. Dan Keir
20. Bailey Simonsson
21. Ronald Volkman
22. Ryan Matterson

Star recruit Zac Lomax has been ruled out due to a fractured foot, with Bailey Simonsson expected to return in the backline reshuffle. Ryley Smith retains the No.9 jersey after a strong showing, while Charlie Guymer drops to the bench.

Canberra Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Matty Nicholson
13. Corey Horsburgh
14. Owen Pattie
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Morgan Smithies
17. Ata Mariota
18. Trey Mooney
19. Jed Stuart
20. Adam Cook
21. Pasami Saulo
22. Danny Levi

The Raiders have made no changes to the side that beat Cronulla last week. Veteran forward Josh Papalii is named to start but could again swap with Ata Mariota before kickoff. Jamal Fogarty plays his 100th NRL game.

Eels vs Raiders NRL Rd 6 betting predictions

Canberra have beaten the Eels by 18 or more points in two of their last three meetings and look the more settled outfit heading to Darwin. Parramatta still leak over 30 points per game on average, and without Lomax, their strikepower out wide takes a major hit. If the Raiders start fast and win the middle, the $2.60 odds at BetOnline for them to win by 13 or more could be the best bet of the night.

Hudson Young bagged a double last week and is thriving on the left edge in this Raiders setup. He runs sharp lines off Fogarty and targets tired defenders in the red zone — something the Eels are prone to conceding against. At $2.45, he’s excellent value in the tryscorer markets with BetOnline.

Darwin games tend to be scrappy and sweaty, especially with the humidity zapping energy late. Both sides have struggled with consistency in attack, and the Eels are missing two of their best attacking weapons in Lomax on Mitchell Moses. Expect a physical grind with errors, fatigue and a one-sided affair keeping this one under 48 points at $1.90 odds with BetOnline.

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