Eels vs Cowboys Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
NRL Grand Final Spot on the Line
High Stakes
There are no second chances when the Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys square off on Friday for a spot in the NRL Grand Final.
The Cowboys enjoyed a week off following a win over the Sharks. However, the Eels looked excellent when thrashing the Raiders.
It’s going to be a thrilling game and NRL odds have the Cowboys at -150 with home-ground advantage.
Let’s review the latest Rugby picks, stats, injury reports, and Rugby odds for Eels vs Cowboys. We’ve plenty of Rugby predictions for you to consider.
Inconsistent Eels Firing
The Eels aren’t the most consistent team in the NRL but they are worthy of a spot in the final when they play their best.
They were poor when losing to the Penrith Panthers two weeks ago, but rebounded with a stylish 40-4 win over the Raiders last week.
It was an emphatic victory for the Eels, but they struggled in their only game against the Cowboys this year and that’s a big concern.
There is another big concern and that’s playing on the road. They are a tough team to beat in Sydney, but with the game being played in Queensland, the Eels won’t have a home crowd behind them.
Had they been playing at home, the Eels would have been -120 to win at the sportsbook, but there is trepidation with bookmakers.
Prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard provided an explanation for their failure against the Panthers.
“If you look back at that Panthers game – if you’ll excuse the French — we tried to see who had the bigger you-know-what. We tried to out-muscle them, and didn’t play to our strengths,” Campbell-Gillard told ABC.
“We changed it around, it was a pretty easy fix, and we did that really well.”
Bettors could see value with the +110 odds for a team coming off a 36-point win.
Cowboys Rested, Ready
Having a week off before the preliminary final is ideal and the Cowboys are ready to buck the Eels into the offseason.
They won their last two games, including a 38-8 win over the Panthers and a hard-fought 32-30 victory over the Sharks. They defeated the Sharks in the final 30 seconds of the game and it has set them up for a home semifinal.
Playing at home is a massive bonus for the Cowboys, who are average in Sydney but excellent at Country Bank Stadium.
The team went on a golf trip during their two-week break, which could have positive effects on the field.
“I’ve always found over the course of my career whenever I’ve been balanced off the field, it’s allowed me to play some of my best football,” Chad Townsend said. “I think golf for us has been a great asset for not only me personally, but our team. It’s been a real outlet, a bit of a competitive side too, so it’s been really enjoyable.”
NRL betting markets have a fair line for the Cowboys at -2½. We expected them to be around -4, so there is value with the favorites.
Eels vs Cowboys Head-to-Head
The Cowboys have a slight 21-20 lifetime advantage and they won the most recent meeting 35-4 in a one-sided affair.
They had their way with the Eels and that should give them confidence heading into Friday’s contest.
Eels vs Cowboys Game Information
- Game: Eels (17-9) vs Cowboys (18-7)
- Location: Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Day/Time: Friday, Sept. 23, 5:50 a.m. ET
- Eels vs Cowboys Live Stream: RugbyPass
Eels vs Cowboys Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
| North Queensland Cowboys | -2½ -115 | -150 | 42½ -120o |
| Parramatta Eels | +2½ -125 | +110 | 42½ -120u |
Eels vs Cowboys Prediction
Home advantage is the biggest reason we’re taking the Cowboys to cover the spread.
They are tough to beat at home and we don’t trust the Eels to get the job done on the road.
We expect the line to move on game day, so jump on now.
