It’s been a chaotic week at Parramatta. After leaving Melbourne with their tails between their legs after a 56-18 opening round defeat to the Storm, news broke that star half Dylan Brown was defecting to the Knights on the richest deal in NRL history.
The Kiwi international has signed a monster 10-year, $13 million contract that will see him relocate to the Hunter Valley from 2026 onwards.
Can Brown and the rest of the Parra squad put the noise behind them and lock in to take down the Tigers? Or will Wests win here, leading to further Blue and Gold scrutiny?
Let’s find out! It’s time to have a look at how both these sides will line up, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Eels vs Tigers prediction and preview.
Eels vs Tigers Round 2 Teams
Parramatta Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Sean Russell
3. Will Penisini
4. Zac Lomax
5. Jordan Samrani
6. Dylan Brown
7. Ronald Volkman
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Jack Williams
13. J'maine Hopgood
14. Ryley Smith
15. Matt Doorey
16. Kitione Kautoga
17. Sam Tuivaiti
Wests Tigers
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Starford To'a
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Alex Twal
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu
Eels vs Tigers Prediction and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
The Tigers were unlucky not to taste victory last week, Parramatta, not so much.
While Wests went down by just two points in a spirited display against the Knights, the Eels hit the self-destruct button in Jason Ryles’ first game in charge.
42-0 down is not how you want to start your first ever halftime address in the NRL, but that was the reality of the situation for Ryles, as his former employers the Storm gave no quarter in the Melbourne sunshine.
It became very apparent, very fast, how much the Blue and Gold will struggle without the services of star man Mitchell Moses for the next six weeks, that’s we’re taking the Tigers here.
Betting tip: Wests Tigers.
First Try Scorer Prediction
New recruit Sunia Turuva will be itching to open his account for his new club after failing to do so last week.
With additional attacking weapons Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau back in the fold after sitting out against the Knight, Turuva should find himself being supplied with plenty of ammunition.
The Eels have shown a propensity for shipping plenty of points already in 2025, so we’re backing the Turuva and the Tigers to take full advantage here.
Betting tip: Sunia Turuva.
Over/Under Prediction
Each of Parramatta’s last six matches have gone over the total match points line of 51.5.
The fact that they conceded more than that last week leads us to believe that they’re set to make it seven from seven in the overs here.
The Eels should be able to provide plenty of points of their own here, as the Tigers are far from world-beaters. All in all, we’re anticipating tonnes of tries from both sides on Sunday.
Betting tip: Over total match points.
Eels vs Tigers Match Details
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEDT.
Location: CommBank Stadium, Sydney.