CommBank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 26 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with St. George Illawarra Dragons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday August 31, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview
St George Illawarra sits in outright eighth but its first finals berth since 2018 is far from assured. With a final-round clash against Canberra and a poor for-and-against, the Dragons will view this away assignment against second-last Parramatta as must-win.
The Dragons win-loss-win-loss pattern since Round 14 continued, following up an impressive 32-16 win over the Titans at WIN Stadium with a disappointing 38-10 loss to the Sharks at the same venue last Sunday.
The Saints were in it at halftime just 14-6 down but familiar defensive lapses crept in during the second stanza.
The Eels have won just one of their last 10, giving up an early lead in a somewhat heartening 30-24 loss to the desperate Broncos in Brisbane on Friday. It was the sixth time in eight games theyve leaked 30-plus and they have not conceded less than 20 points since Round 4.
There should be no shortage of motivation in their last home game of the year, however, ahead of next weeks spoon bowl against Wests Tigers.
Both teams have just one change: Luca Moretti replaces Jake Tago on the Eels bench, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner takes the place of Lyhkan King-Tongia on the Dragons interchange.
The Dragons have won just three of their last 14 against the Eels. But while inconsistency has been the story of their improved campaign, the Saints havent lost consecutive games since Round 9 and havent lost to a team currently outside the Top 8 since Round 5.
St George Illawarra is a value option as only a narrow favourite, with the Eels riding a club-record four-match losing streak at CommBank Stadium.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Tip
We're tipping St. George Illawarra Dragons to win at $1.60 odds.
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami 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 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Toby Couchman 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 20. Michael Molo 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Moses Suli
