This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or click on a date below

Monday 29
Tuesday 30
Wednesday 31
Thursday 1
Friday 2
Saturday 3
Sunday 4
Monday 5
Tuesday 6
Wednesday 7
Thursday 8

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Tips & Preview - Eels to shock Cowboys without their Origin stars

By Ryan Tucker

25 May 2023

Ryan Tucker 25 May 2023

Share this article

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys predictions for Friday’s NRL game (20:00 AEST)
The Cowboys have covered only 4 of 12 games this year
What will the Cowboys defence look like without their Origin stars?

Expired

Parramatta Eels (Getty Images)

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions

Two teams that held high expectations coming into the season but occupy spots 13 and 14 on the ladder respectively.

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions
Head to Head
Parramatta Eels Form
Parramatta Eels Team News
Parramatta Eels Team List
North Queensland Cowboys Form
North Queensland Cowboys Team News
North Queensland Cowboys Team List

Though not completely out of the race the loser of this game will lose touch of the top 8 whilst the winner will be knocking on the door of multiple teams.

My model has this game going over and the Eels covering the large line. With a host of stars missing I have trouble seeing how the Cowboys make up the difference.

Parramatta Eels have covered the spread in their last 2 home games as favourites.
11 of Maika Sivo’s 14 tries this season have been scored in the second half of games.
North Queensland Cowboys have lost 4 matches in a row outside of QLD.
North Queensland Cowboys have conceded 43% of their tries in 2023 down the right side.

Head to Head

Parramatta and North Queensland shared the spoils last year with both teams winning a game each in their two match-ups. The Eels though with the more important of the wins knocking the Cowboys out of the finals.

Excluding finals games these teams have played each other once a year since 2019 with the record standing at 2-2. Interestingly the overall head to head between the Eels and Cowboys is 21-21 with 1 drawn game.

Parramatta Eels Form

Parramatta snapped a two game losing streak in round 12 beating league leaders South Sydney with a comprehensive attacking display 36-16.

The Eels scored early and never looked back, dominating possession and field position for the majority of the match.

Parramatta amassed 1936 run metres in the game on the back of solid kick returns by the back three.

Parramatta Eels Team News

The Eels are relatively unaffected by Origin losing only Junior Paulo to the Blues team. But two key injuries to back rowers Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey sees a reshuffle in the 17 bringing mid-season recruit Joe Ofahengaue and Matt Doorey into the line up.

Luca Moretti has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisini

4. Bailey Simonsson

5. Sean Russell

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Wiremu Greig

9. Josh Hodgson

10. Joe Ofahengaue

11. Bryce Cartwright

12. Matt Doorey

13. J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

14. Ofahiki Ogden

15. Brendan Hands

16. Luca Moretti

17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves

18. Daejarn Asi

19. Haze Dunster

20. Ky Rodwell

21. Jack Murchie

22. Isaac Lumelume

North Queensland Cowboys Form

The Cowboys were on a roll beating Sydney Roosters and St George in consecutive games in rounds 10 and 11.

Round 12 though was a different story and the question could be asked if anyone even turned up to Leichardt Oval in what was an absolutely dismal performance against the Tigers.

North Queensland allowed the Tigers to post their best ever score conceding a total of 66 points in the game.

The Cowboys were only in possession for a total of 18 minutes which is one of the lowest numbers of the NRL era.

North Queensland Cowboys Team News

The Cowboys have been hit hard by Origin selection despite the teams poor form. A total of four players will be away on state duties forcing changes across multiple positions.

Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi are replaced in their respective positions by Zac Laybutt and Robert Derby who are both making their debut. Tom Dearden is replaced at five-eighth by Ben Hampton.

Reuben Cotter is replaced by Griffin Neame who makes an early return from a throat injury earlier in the season.

Jake Granville has been named to start at lock but the inclusion of Jason Taumalolo on the bench hints that he may be included in the team at the 11th hour.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Kyle Feldt

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Peta Hiku

5. Robert Derby

6. Ben Hampton

7. Chad Townsend

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Coen Hess

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Heilum Luki

13. Jake Granville

Interchange

14. Jack Gosiewski

15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

17. Griffin Neame

Reserves

18. Mitch Dunn

19. Brendan Elliot

20. Sam McIntyre

21. Thomas Duffy

22. Jason Taumalolo

Verdict

Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys

What the Cowboys have lacked this season is belief in their defence. Without a host of stars I don’t see it getting any better this week. The Eels will most definitely target the debutants in the centres and rack up enough points to push this total over.

Sivo brought us gold back in round 11 so I'm going back to the well and backing him for a second half try.

Parramatta -14.5

Handicap Line

@9/10 - 3 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Over 44.5

Total Points

@11/12 - 2 Units

T&Cs apply. Over 18s only. Gambleaware.org

Bet at Star Sports

Maika Sivo

Second Half Tryscorer

@5/4 - 1 Unit

Bet £5 Get £20

Use Promo code 20FREE

18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Ladbrokes