2025 NRL Round 3

Home
NRL

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Tips - Parra to crack the winners circle

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: 21 Mar 2025

Add to Calendar

Ryan Tucker 21 Mar 2025

Share this article

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 3 NRL game
Kick off is at 4:05 PM (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Parramatta Eels expected to win, breaking their season's losing streak.
Canterbury Bulldogs face challenges without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.
Expert betting tip: Consider Eels on the moneyline or +10.5 line.

Ryan is backing the Eels to get their first win of the season against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 3 2025 - Expert Prediction

Parramatta will get their first win of the season with Canterbury expected to struggle in attack without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 3 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Parramatta Eels Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Parramatta Eels Team News
Parramatta Eels Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3 FAQ’s

The Bulldogs have been extremely lucky with Matt Burton being the pillar of health in his 3 years at the club, missing only 3 games over that span. Their record without him isn’t good though losing 2 of those 3 matches and quite significantly.

New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has had a baptism of fire to open up his first season as a head coach but has not hit the panic button, opting for just one change in the team that was flogged by the Tigers last weekend. This points to stability and trust in the playing group which should sooner or later transfer out onto the field given they still have a solid line up.

Dean Hawkins featured in 8 games for South’s last year losing all but the matchup against the Bulldogs but did show promise steering the ship around. My expectation is that this game will be a tussle with points hard to come by. The Bulldogs have not beaten Parramatta at Commbank Stadium since 2019.

If you are as bold as I am, take Parra on the moneyline, if you are more cautious the +10.5 line is an easier option. Zac Lomax is my pick of the tryscorers with his style of running likely to net him a shot at the line.

Parramatta have won 9 of the last 12 games against Canterbury and have every matchup at Commbank the last 5 years.
9 of the last 12 games have gone Under the Game Total.
The Eels have covered in 50% of games as double digit underdogs since 2019.
Zac Lomax has scored a try in 4 of 8 games played against Canterbury and is matching up on an edge which allowed two tries last week.

Head to Head

The Eels hold a dominant record in this head to head winning 9 of the last 12 games played. They split the difference last season with each team winning at home, though the Eels 26-8 win was more convincing.

Both games last season and 9 of the last 12 have gone Under the Game Total while 8 of the last 12 games have finished with a winning margin of 13+.

Parramatta Eels Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
0-2	0-2	1-1

Parramatta were embarrassed for the second week in a row going down to the Tigers 32-6 in their home opener. They now have a combined score of 88-24 over two games played and are anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

Despite having their fair share of possession and slightly dominating territory against Wests, the Eels failed to convert their chances scoring just once despite having 41 tackles inside their opponents 20m zone.

Their lack of creativity close to the line highlights how much Mitch Moses means to the team and they would be counting down the days until he returns. Jack Williams was the only forward to reach 100 run metres in the loss to the Tigers.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
0-2	1-1	0-0	0-2

Parramatta Eels Team News

Only one change in the Parra side this week despite getting their asses handed to them again last week. Dean Hawkins comes in as the new half with Ronald Volkman out the team entirely.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Sean Russell

3. Will Penisini

4. Zac Lomax

5. Jordan Samrani

6. Dylan Brown

7. Dean Hawkins

8. Joe Ofahengaue

9. Brendan Hands

10. Junior Paulo

11. Shaun Lane

12. Jack Williams

13. J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

14. Ryley Smith

15. Matt Doorey

16. Kitione Kautoga

17. Sam Tuivaiti

Reserves

18. Ryan Matterson

19. Joash Papalii

20. Dan Keir

21. Josh Addo-Carr

22. Joey Lussick

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-0	2-0	2-0

The Doggies continued their top start to 2025 with a 40-24 win over the Titans last weekend at their spiritual home of Belmore.

It was only the 3rd time since the beginning of 2019 that Canterbury have amassed 40 points in a game pointing to the struggles they have had on the offensive end for a number of years.

The team racked up 1589 run metres as well as 40 tackle busts and 6 linebreaks in the match which they dominated territory 58%-42%. Four of the back five for the Dogs all ran for 140+ metres on the day getting their sets off to a good start.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
2-0	2-0	1-0	1-0

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Both Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau are out injured with Bailey Howard coming in at five-eighth and Sitili Tupouniua being elevated from the bench to the starting side.

Harry Hayes, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Kurtis Morrin are part of a new look bench unit.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Connor Tracey

2. Blake Wilson

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Bailey Hayward

7. Toby Sexton

8. Max King

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Josh Curran

11. Sitili Tupouniua

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harry Hayes

16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves

19. Joseph O'Neill

20. Jack Todd

21. Blake Taaffe

22. Luke Smith

23. Jonathan Sua

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3 FAQ’s

How to watch Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3?

You can watch the Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3?

To buy tickets to the Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 3 game check the NRL website or the official Parramatta Eels site.

Verdict

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldgs

Parramatta Eels

Moneyline

$3.32 - 2 Units

Join Boombet.com.au

Aus owned. Based in Melbourne.

Boombet.com.au with a brand-new website designed for online betting speed. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.

Bet at Boombet

Parramatta +10.5

Line

$1.90 - 2 Units

Download the dabble app

with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble

Zac Lomax

First Tryscorer

$15.00 - 1 Unit

Download the dabble app

with referral code BETSAU

Bet at dabble

Zac Lomax

Anytime Tryscorer

$2.50 - 1 Unit

Take it to the Neds Level

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.