There is just one NRL match on Friday, with the earlier fixture moved to accommodate 3 matches yesterday. With all the attention of the NRL world on this game, the Sea Eagles will host the Eels in a key match for both sides. Finding themselves at different points on the competition ladder, both will be desperate to capture victory. With plenty on the line, an exciting NRL match is ahead. Before You Bet is here to take a comprehensive look at the action and start your weekend off on the right note by also finding you a winner or two.
Also, if you’re new to sports betting or betting on the NRL, check out the following articles to help build your knowledge:
- Guide to Betting on the NRL
- Where to Bet on the NRL
- Factors to Consider When Betting on the NRL
2024 NRL Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels
4 Pines Park – Friday 26th April – 8pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles narrowly escaped embarrassment by becoming the first team to lose to the Titans this season, leaving the Gold Coast with a 34-30 victory. In a high scoring match, they trailed 24-22 at HT. Thankfully, they were able to score two more in the second half and limit their opponents to just one try. It is no surprise that they were off their best; they completed at just 72%, committed 11 errors, made fewer metres, and missed more tackles (23). The fact that they averaged more metres per carry, had more pcm’s and more line breaks will give them confidence moving forward; they need to learn to do more with such an advantage.
The Eels dropped to last on the NRL Power Rankings following their horrible 44-16 loss to the Dolphins in Darwin. Leading 8-4 at HT, there was hope that they could go on with the effort and close out the match against an opponent missing a host of strike players (and a coach). That wasn’t the case though, as they went on to concede 40 unanswered points in an insipid display of defence. Over 80 minutes, they allowed 9.4m per carry, 540pcm’s, 9 line breaks and missed 31 tackles. The comments from coach Arthur post-match didn’t miss either. They are a team in desperate need of an improved performance and what has been occurring up to this point, even without Moses, hasn’t been working. It must be turned around soon before their 2024 campaign is lost altogether.
Match Prediction
The recent performances of each team suggest that the Sea Eagles are worthy favourites ($1.34 vs $3.30) for this match. Combine this with the Eels’ 39% record here and winning just 1 of their past 6 matches at this ground, and the task of winning becomes increasingly difficult. Coach Arthur has finally made the call and bought Ethan Sanders into the team for his NRL Debut; he will line up at 5/8 and you can be sure that he will be pressured defensively by the big edge runners for the Sea Eagles.
There are other positional (mainly interchange) changes for the visitors in the hope that they can turn around their start to the season. It will take a lot more than just personnel changes though; they currently average just 19ppg in attack (vs Sea Eagles 25ppg) and concede 25ppg in defence (vs Sea Eagles 22ppg). Such a discrepancy doesn’t bode well for them in this contest. Given the comments of Arthur following last week, it would be surprising to see no change in execution (or effort) from the Eels; this performance will say a lot about how this squad is traveling 2024.
It is difficult to see anything other than a Sea Eagles win but the line (9.5) is worth considering. As good as the Sea Eagles have been, they have still leaked points this year; they have conceded 20+ points 5 times already this season. It was only back in Round 2 that these two sides met also; the absence of Moses in this game will make it a remarkably different contest this time around. Still, the Eels can create enough attacking opportunities (with the Sea Eagles giving plenty away) to stay within striking distance until the end of this match.
Eels +9.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Tommy Turbo is the equal leading try scorer for his team this season (Koula also has 4) and he is slowly gaining more confidence each week. There is no reason why he will not look to have maximum involvement for his team, especially close to the line. Olakau’atu is just behind him and is exactly the threatening runner on an edge that will terrorise the Eels playmakers all night.
T. Trbojevic to Score
Olakau’atu to Score
SGM Odds: $6 at Ladbrokes
