Allianz Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 5 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday March 30, 2023 at 7:50 pm
Where: Allianz Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Odds
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Preview
Coming off an epic, pressure-relieving maiden win, the schedule doesn’t get much easier for Parramatta as it faces its third straight Thursday-nighter against the team coming off the bye.
The Eels showed the qualities that carried them into a grand final six months ago to upset the Panthers in golden point.
After conceding 64 points in the previous two rounds, their defence was superb, their completion rate was remarkable and Mitch Moses, fresh from his contract saga concluding, kicked brilliantly all night before landing the extra-time field goal. Hooker Brendan Hands was also a revelation on debut.
Sydney Roosters’ customarily sluggish start to the season – a lost to the Dolphins and a tight win over the Warriors – enjoyed a Round 3 upswing courtesy of a come-from-behind grudge-match defeat of Souths.
Joseph Suaalii’s rugby union defection may have created a distraction, while Joey Manu is out suspended which brings Drew Hutchison into the centres this week and Corey Allan onto the bench. Junior Paulo’s ban sees Wiremu Greig start for the Eels and Jack Murchie return to the interchange.
The Roosters are 13-5 against the Eels since 2009, but last season’s two encounters were split. The Roosters won 31-24 in Magic Round before the blue-and-golds turned the tables 26-16 five weeks later at home. The Eels are hunting their first away win over the Tricolours since 2008.
This shapes as yet another tight Thursday night clash (all four this season have been decided by six points or less, with two going to golden point) and the $2.55 underdog Eels are the value option after last week’s breakthrough, given the Roosters are yet to genuinely hit their straps in 2023.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Tip
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.53 odds.
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Teams
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Corey Allan 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Ben Thomas 19. Junior Pauga 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Matt Doorey 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Toni Mataele 22. Haze Dunster