CommBank Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 23 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Parramatta Eels heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday August 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Where: CommBank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview
Parramatta face a must-win clash with also-ran St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon following a dismal July.
The Eels have lost three of their last four, convincingly beaten by the Warriors, Cowboys and Storm, and only recording a nervy one-point win over the Titans.
A solid start belied an eventual 46-16 loss in Melbourne last Friday in which the absence of suspended duo Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo was palpable – but they do get a couple of key troops back this week.
Dylan Brown returns from an NRL-imposed ban for an off-field indiscretion with Daejarn Asi’s eight-game run in the halves coming to an end.
Waqa Blake has been axed with Isaac Lumelume named on the wing. Wiremu Greig returns from injury on the interchange.
With little to play for and chastened by a dreadful campaign on and off the field, the Dragons have shown a bit of spirit in recent weeks, pushing Canberra and Manly either side of a win over Wests Tigers to stave off wooden spoon danger.
All three matches were at WIN Stadium, however, and the Saints are still chasing their first win on the road for 2023.
Parramatta has won 10 of its last 13 against St George Illawarra, including a 48-14 mauling at CommBank Stadium in the teams’ sole 2022 clash.
Brown’s return provides a much-needed extra spark – Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson have been carrying the can for the Eels’ attack – and the urgency of the 11th-placed outfit’s situation should be enough to ensure a significantly better team gets the job done at home.
But the Dragons nevertheless look well over the odds as by far the biggest underdogs of the round.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Parramatta Eels to win at $1.12 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Clinton Gutherson at $8.75.
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Andrew Davey 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Brendan Hands 19. Arthur Miller-Stephen 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Jack Murchie
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Ryan Couchman 19. Sione Finau 20. Jack Bird 21. Max Feagai 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila