Top Eight Positions on the Line
Friday’s game between the Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels looms as an important NRL clash for playoff positioning.
The Sea Eagles sit outside the playoffs in 10th place, so beating the Eels is important to stay in touch. Helping their cause is getting all seven players back in the squad after refusing to wear a “Pride” jersey last week.
The Eels have been inconsistent but as NRL odds suggest, they’re good enough to beat the Sea Eagles on the road.
Let’s review the latest Rugby news, stats, injury reports and rugby odds for Sea Eagles vs Eels. We’ve plenty of rugby picks and predictions for you to consider.
Wheels Falling Off
The Sea Eagles looked good after consecutive wins over the Storm and Knights, but a 20-6 loss to the Dragons and 20-10 loss to the Roosters has them on the outside looking in.
It has been a tough couple of weeks for management, especially after seven players refused to wear a jersey celebrating diversity in the NRL. Despite missing players, they held on well enough to keep it close against the Roosters, and another strong challenge is presented this week.
The sportsbook has taken most of the betting action for the Eels, who firmed into joint favoritism at -120. We expected money to come for the Eels, but the Sea Eagles are good enough to win at home.
Their success hinges on the halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran. The Australian and New Zealand internationals run the show for the Sea Eagles, so if they play well, they could be too tough.
The wheels are close to falling off for coach Des Hasler and his team, so beating the Eels is a must. Otherwise, the playoffs could be a forlorn hope.
Which Eels Team Turns Up?
Many headaches have been caused by the Eels due to their inconsistency. They look like world-beaters one week and cellar dwellers the next, so bettors have been having a tough time of it.
Betting online markets have taken most of the handle for the Eels, which isn’t surprising. They are often well-backed to win and bettors are hoping they show the same form that defeated the Penrith Panthers last week.
The Eels were helped out by facing a Panthers squad with one less man due to Nathan Cleary’s send-off. However, they were ahead 12-4 at the time and playing well.
It’s now time to show some consistency heading to the playoffs. They are a team good enough to cause an upset in the finals, but beating teams like the Sea Eagles in Round 21 is a must.
Losing Mitchell Moses to injury doesn’t help, but inserting Glint Gutherson into a halves role could spark the offense. Gutherson originally wanted to play in the halves when he was signed in 2017.
“I’m going to try and make (a halves role) my own. I want to make it a permanent thing,” Gutherson told ZeroTackle. “I’m loving Parramatta and I’m going to try and make the six jersey mine and see where it takes me. If I stay there the rest of my career, I stay there.”
Times have changed for the fullback but he could lead the Eels to a victory.
Sea Eagles vs Eels Head-to-Head
This is the second meeting between the Sea Eagles and Eels. The first meeting was played in Parramatta, which narrowly won 22-20. The Eels scored with just a couple of minutes remaining to pull off the comeback victory.
They have played 40 times since 1998 and the Eels have a slim 21-19 advantage.
Sea Eagles vs Eels Game Information
- Game: Manly Sea Eagles (9-10) vs Parramatta Eels (12-7)
- Location: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
- Day/Time: Friday, 5:55 a.m. ET
- Live Stream: RugbyPass
Sea Eagles vs Eels Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline |
| Manly Sea Eagles | -1½ -105 | -120 |
| Parramatta Eels | +1½ -135 | -120 |
Sea Eagles vs Eels Prediction
If the Sea Eagles’ halves pairing plays well, they will be tough to beat. However, we think there is more firepower with the Eels and we’re picking them to win.
Despite their inconsistency and often hair-pulling frustration, bettors should be confident in the real Eels side turning up.
Rugby league betting markets could trim the Eels’ odds to around -140, so it could pay to jump on the -120 before it’s gone.
