CommBank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 6 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs. North Queensland Cowboys game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday April 13, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
Back-to-back defeats since Mitchell Moses injury setback has backed Parramatta coach Brad Arthur into a corner ahead of a critical home clash with freewheeling North Queensland.
The Eels were run down 17-16 by the Tigers on Easter Monday, before being exposed badly on both sides of the ball in a 41-8 loss in Canberra in Round 5.
Arthur has cut Maika Sivo, Wiremu Greig and Blaize Talagi. Morgan Harper is back at centre with Bailey Simonsson shifting to the wing, Daejarn Asi comes into the halves and Bryce Cartwright (ribs) is a big in.
Asi should ease the kicking load on Brown a glaring area of deficiency in the past fortnight. They went 5-5 with the Kiwi filling in for Moses and Brown at various stages during the second half of 2023.
The 4-1 Cowboys have a share of the competition lead but remain unconvincing, with the flat-track bully tag lingering nearby.
In their only outing as an underdog, they were pumped 38-12 by an under-strength Broncos, while they ultimately made hard work of a Scott Drinkwater-inspired 35-22 win over the Titans last Sunday.
The Cowboys boast the NRLs best attack but are ranked 13th defensively.
Zac Laybutts season-ending injury gives Tom Chester an opportunity at centre but is unquestionably a blow for the Cowboys.
The Eels have won four of the teams last six encounters, including the 2022 preliminary final in Townsville.
But last seasons two clashes were won by the home team by identical 24-16 scorelines, the Cowboys last win over the Eels in Sydney was during the 2017 finals.
The Cowboys venture out of Queensland for just the second time in 2024, their 46-24 comeback against the Dragons in Wollongong was only their third win from nine interstate games since the start of last year.
The Eels are looking to avoid consecutive defeats at CommBank Stadium for just the second time, boasting a 41-15 all-time record at the venue.
Those trends and Arthurs hard-line selections are reason enough to get behind the hosts as an underdog against a largely unproven opponent.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Tip
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.62 odds.
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Blaize Talagi 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Maika Sivo
Cowboys team:1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Viliami Vailea