CommBank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 1 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Parramatta Eels heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday March 9, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
The Eels are warm favourites to continue their recent dominance over a big-spending Canterbury Bulldogs side that still looks woefully ill-equipped in key areas.
Parramatta has won 13 of its last 16 against Canterbury, including seven of the last eight. None of the teams’ last six encounters has featured a margin of less than 22 points, with the Eels prevailing 30-4 in Round 7 and 34-12 in Round 15 last season.
Grand finalists in 2022, the Eels never really got going last year after a 1-4 start and spluttered their way to a 10th-place finish.
There was little to get excited about in the arrivals column, though Kelma Tualagi make his club debut off the bench.
Maika Sivo’s suspension allows another Manly recruit, Morgan Harper, to come in at centre with Bailey Simonsson shuffling to the wing.
The Bulldogs’ maiden campaign under Cameron Ciraldo was a fizzer, garnering a 15th-place finish with by far the worst defensive record in the NRL.
Stephen Crichton and Josh Curran are great additions but don’t address the team’s biggest weaknesses.
Versatile newcomers Blake Taafe and Drew Hutchison have been named at fullback and halfback, respectively, while fellow utility Jaeman Salmon gets the nod at lock.
Poasa Faamausili comes in at prop and Kurt Mann will wear the No.14.
Whether there’s enough quality to unlock marquee men Crichton, Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Viliame Kikau is the key question for the Bulldogs.
An unthreatening three-quarter line is a concern for the Eels, but the class of the Gutherson-Moses-Brown triumvirate and a clear middle-forward advantage should ensure a relatively comfortable first-up win at a ground where they boast a 39-15 all-time record.
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Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tip
We're tipping Parramatta Eels to win at $1.42 odds.
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Teams
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami 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 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi
Bulldogs team: 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 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Connor Tracey 23. Kitione Kautoga
