Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Prediction – Round 9 2025

The sixth installment of Magic Round kicks off with an enthralling Friday night encounter between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium.

Parramatta are making this interstate trip fresh off a bye after notching only their second win of the season, defeating the Tigers 38-22 on Easter Monday, thanks to a Mitchell Moses’ masterclass, in his first game of 2025.

The Sharks, who lost 20-18 to the Tigers in golden point last weekend, may still be having nightmares of the last time they faced the Eels, when Moses tore them to shreds in a separate dominant performance on return from injury.

Neither of these sides particularly enjoy travelling to Brisbane for Magic Round. The Sharkies have won two from five during this event, while the Eels are even worse at 1-4.

On the team’s front, the Sharks welcome back centre KL Iro and forward Braden Hamlin-Uele, while the Eels replace suspended back-rower Kelma Tuilagi with Charlie Guymer in an otherwise unchanged lineup.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the team lists for these two sides, along with some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Eels vs Sharks prediction.

 

Sharks vs Eels Teams

 

Cronulla Sharks

1. Will Kennedy

2. Samuel Stonestreet

3. Jesse Ramien

4. KL Iro 

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Oregon Kaufusi

11. Briton Nikora

12. Billy Burns

13. Cameron McInnes

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Sifa Talakai

16. Braden Hamlin-Uele

17. Tom Hazelton

 

Parramatta Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Bailey Simonsson

3. Will Penisini

4. Sean Russell

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitch Moses

8. Jack Williams

9. Ryley Smith

10. Junior Paulo

11. Charlie Guymer

12. Kitione Kautoga

13. J'maine Hopgood

14. Dylan Walker

15. Luca Moretti

16. Matt Doorey

17. Sam Tuivaiti

Sharks vs Eels Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

It’s amazing how much difference a single player can make. The return of incumbent NSW No.7 Mitchell Moses to Parramatta’s ranks has transformed the Eels from competition whipping boys to potential banana peels.

There’s no denying Cronulla’s quality, but as they showed last week against the Tigers, they are amicable to being upset.

Coming off a Moses masterclass and a bye, we’re tempted to go hunting for value and tip the Eels, but one game isn’t enough to rectify seven or so rounds of sub-par performances.

Especially when Parramatta have lost each of their last five interstate matches following a win. Up up Cronulla here.

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks.

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

We’ve been backing this bloke semi-consistently in this market for a while now and while he’s yet to strike gold, Will Kennedy continues to pique our interest.

The Sharks fullback has scored a try in each of Cronulla's last three matches, just not before someone else.

If Kennedy can deploy his try scoring heroics straight out of the gate instead of mid match, he could prove to be a shrewd pick for this market.

Betting tip: Will Kennedy.

 

Over/Under Prediction

Whether it be Magic Round, or simply visiting the Broncos and Dolphins, tries fly when Parra head to Brisbane.

Each of Parramatta's last five matches at Suncorp Stadium have gone over the total match points line, a trend we are tipping to continue here.

Betting tip: Over total match points.

Sharks vs Eels Match Details

 

Date: Friday, May 2, 2025.

Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST.

Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.