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Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tips & Preview - Eels backed on the line in NRL upset

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 22 Mar 2025

Ryan Tucker 22 Mar 2025

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Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 3 NRL game
Eels have a strong head-to-head record against the Bulldogs
Parramatta have won 9 out of the last 12 games
Eels are struggling in form but have a +10.5 start line advantage

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Zac Lomax of the Eels (Getty Images)

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview

Canterbury struggle in attack without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau and I'm willing to take a change of the Eels. Parramatta are backed with a +10.5 start line.

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
Head to Head
Parramatta Eels Form
Parramatta Eels Team News
Parramatta Eels Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs Form
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

Parramatta have won 9 of the last 12 games against Canterbury and have every matchup at Commbank the last 5 years.
9 of the last 12 games have gone Under the Game Total.
The Eels have covered in 50% of games as double digit underdogs since 2019.
Zac Lomax has scored a try in 4 of 8 games played against Canterbury and is matching up on an edge which allowed two tries last week.

Head to Head

The Eels hold a dominant record in this head to head winning nine of the last 12 games played. They split the difference last season with each team winning at home, though the Eels 26-8 win was more convincing.

Both games last season and 9 of the last 12 have gone Under the Game Total while 8 of the last 12 games have finished with a winning margin of 13+.

Parramatta Eels Form

Parramatta were embarrassed for the second week in a row going down to the Tigers 32-6 in their home opener. They now have a combined score of 88-24 over two games played and are anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

Despite having their fair share of possession and slightly dominating territory against Wests, the Eels failed to convert their chances scoring just once despite having 41 tackles inside their opponents 20m zone.

Their lack of creativity close to the line highlights how much Mitch Moses means to the team and they would be counting down the days until he returns. Jack Williams was the only forward to reach 100 run metres in the loss to the Tigers.

Parramatta Eels Team News

Only one change in the Parra side this week despite getting their asses handed to them again last week. Dean Hawkins comes in as the new half with Ronald Volkman out the team entirely.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Sean Russell

3. Will Penisini

4. Zac Lomax

5. Jordan Samrani

6. Dylan Brown

7. Dean Hawkins

8. Joe Ofahengaue

9. Brendan Hands

10. Junior Paulo

11. Shaun Lane

12. Jack Williams

13. J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

14. Ryley Smith

15. Matt Doorey

16. Kitione Kautoga

17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves

18. Ryan Matterson

19. Joash Papalii

20. Dan Keir

21. Josh Addo-Carr

22. Joey Lussick

Canterbury Bulldogs Form

The Doggies continued their top start to 2025 with a 40-24 win over the Titans last weekend at their spiritual home of Belmore.

It was only the 3rd time since the beginning of 2019 that Canterbury have amassed 40 points in a game pointing to the struggles they have had on the offensive end for a number of years.

The team racked up 1589 run metres as well as 40 tackle busts and 6 linebreaks in the match which they dominated territory 58%-42%. Four of the back five for the Dogs all ran for 140+ metres on the day getting their sets off to a good start.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Both Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau are out injured with Bailey Howard coming in at five-eighth and Sitili Tupouniua being elevated from the bench to the starting side.

Harry Hayes, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Kurtis Morrin are part of a new look bench unit.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Connor Tracey

2. Blake Wilson

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Bailey Hayward

7. Toby Sexton

8. Max King

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Josh Curran

11. Sitili Tupouniua

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harry Hayes

16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves

19. Joseph O'Neill

20. Jack Todd

21. Blake Taaffe

22. Luke Smith

23. Jonathan Sua

Verdict

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldgs

If you are as bold as I am, take Parra on the moneyline, if you are more cautious the +10.5 line is an easier option. Zac Lomax is my pick of the tryscorers with his style of running likely to net him a shot at the line.

Parramatta Eels

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Parramatta +10.5

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Zac Lomax

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