NRL Saturday: Eels v Sharks betting tips, prediction & odds, round 3, 2021

NRL round 13: Dragons v Broncos

Read on for our Parramatta v Cronulla match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, on Saturday, March 27.

We see this match-up as the most intriguing of NRL Super Saturday. The earlier games are Canberra v New Zealand Warriors from 3pm at GIO Stadium, and winless Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, at 5.30pm.

Cronulla are something of a bogy team for Parramatta, who are riding high after knocking off defending premiers Melbourne Storm in an enthralling contest last round.

The Sharks have won six of the past eight matches between the teams, with their wins coming by an average of 10.5 points. The Eels won the only match between the teams in 2020, 14-12 at Kogarah in round 13.


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Cronulla had their chances last weekend in a 12-10 loss to the highly fancied Raiders, and they were good in the first round too, so we can help but think the bookies have it wrong with the Eels so short in head to head betting on this game.

Parra are hard to beat on their home turf but it should not be forgotten that the Sharks made the finals last year and are not too far off putting their best team on the park. If a pack of forwards to keep one-time Origin star Andrew Fifita out of the 17 altogether, there must be plenty of ability there.


Eels v Sharks team news for round 3

The Eels must make do without ball-playing back-rower Ryan Matterson (concussion) for this match after he copped a stay elbow from Melbourne Storm’s Felise Kaufusi, who has been banned for three matches.

Warriors recruit Isaiah Papali’i comes into the starting side for Matterson, with Ray Stone, back after a long-term knee injury, coming on to the bench.

Parra also have centre Waqa Blake (calf), Bryce Cartwright (jaw) and Michael Oldfield (knee) on the unavailable list.

Cronulla have played well in their opening two matches even without ace halfback Shaun Johnson, who is due to return from an Achilles injury about round eight, while centre Jesse Ramien has two more matches to serve of his suspension for a high shot. Connor Tracey comes into the starting line-up at centre in place of the demoted Mawene Hiroti, who was left out of the 17.

Read on for our Eels v Sharks tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Saturday, March 27.


Eels v Sharks

Kick-off: 7.35pm local time
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Head to head odds: Parramatta $1.35, Cronulla $3.20
Line betting: Parramatta (-7.5 points) $1.84, Cronulla (+7.5 points) $1.96
Match total: 39.5 points: over $1.89, under $1.92


Eels v Sharks free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free Parra-Cronulla betting tips for Saturday’s game.

Sharks to win/match total over 39.5 points

This option is paying a massive $6.40 with leading bookie Unibet and it is one we are pretty confident about, though we have more faith in the Sharks winning than we do in the teams covering the line. If you are feeling more conservative, $3.20 is a great price about a team we rate more around the $2.20 mark in head-to-head betting.

Sharks first to 10 points at $2.64

Parramatta were impressive last week but the week before they gave up a big start to the Broncos before running them down in the second half. We think the Sharks could get the jump on them early.


Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks prediction 27-3-2021

Parramatta announced themselves as a serious side with their win over the Storm last weekend, but we are not getting too carried away with the Eels just yet. They have a brutal pack and can hurt teams with offloads. They were clearly the leading team in this area last season. But the Sharks pack is underrated and they always have some points in a speedy back-line. This match is closer to an even-money contest than the odds that are currently set by sportsbooks, in which case we have to wager on the outsiders. Our Eels v Sharks prediction: Cronulla by 6 points.


Eels v Sharks lowdown

How can I watch the Parramatta-Cronulla clash?

Fox League and KAYO will telecast the game.

How can I bet on the Eels v Sharks clash?

All of the top International betting sites will offer markets on the NRL.

What time does Saturday’s Eels v Sharks NRL Round 3 game start?

The Eels v Sharks match kicks off at 7.35pm AEDT.

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