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Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 24 Tips & Prediction - Eels can grind down erratic Cows

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 12 Aug 2026 01:41

Andrew Hendrie 1 hour ago

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Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys predictions for Saturday's NRL R24 game
Eels continue to battle bravely & tipped to cover at home with a +6.5 start
Under 50.5 points is a trending prop in 17 of the last 18 meetings between the teams
The game is scheduled for kick off at 5.30pm AEST on Saturday August 15

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 24 Tips & Prediction

The Eels have been ravaged by injuries all season, but they continue to put in the effort and are battling hard - I think they can cover with a +6.5 start against an unreliable Cowboys side, who are prone to shocking performances and regular concentration lapses. Josh Addo-Carr can snap a 10-game tryscoring drought against a team he has thrived against throughout his career, while Jordan Samrani is also backed to continue his red-hot recent form.

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 24 Tips & Prediction
Eels vs Cowboys Stats & Trends
Eels vs Cowboys Head To Head
Parramatta Eels Form Analysis
North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis
Eels vs Cowboys Team News

It's been another disappointing season for the Eels, but they haven't thrown in the towel at any stage and are capable of being a nuisance to sides looking to qualify for the finals over the next few weeks - starting with the Cowboys on Saturday night at CommBank Stadium.

Parramatta have already stunned North Queensland once this season, scoring two tries in the last five minutes to force golden point in Townsville, with Mitch Moses kicking the match-winning field goal as the Eels played spoiler in Jason Taumalolo's 300th NRL game. That win was part of a dominant recent stretch of form for the Eels in this matchup - they've won five of the last six meetings between the sides.

Obviously if the Cowboys are serious about the finals, then this is a must-win clash. But I just don't trust them, let alone as $1.50 favourites on the road. You don't even need to mention the 80-point embarrassment against the Roosters - the Cowboys are simply unreliable, erratic and arguably the most inconsistent team in the competition, capable of beating anyone and losing to anyone. Which means you have to follow the value when betting on their games.

And the value lies with the Eels as home underdogs in this one. So I'm taking Parra with a +6.5 start and I'll also play Under 50.5 points, which - incredibly - has landed in 17 of the last 18 H2Hs. The Fox surely can't go 11 games without a try - he's been prolific against the Cowboys during his career and this represents a great opportunity to snap his drought, while Samrani has emerged as a breakout star for the Eels this season and should prove dangerous out wide again.

Eels vs Cowboys Stats & Trends

Eels have covered a +6.5 line in seven of their last nine games
Eels have won five of their last six games vs Cowboys
Cowboys have failed to cover a -6.5 line in six of their last nine games
Eels have seen Under 50.5 points in seven of their last eight games
Cowboys have seen Under 50.5 points in four of their last six games
Seventeen of the last 18 meetings have seen Under 50.5 points
Josh Addo-Carr has scored 15 tries in his last 12 games vs Cowboys, including a double in his las two appearances
Jordan Samrani has scored a try in his last two games & crossed vs Cowboys in R10

Eels vs Cowboys Head To Head

Parramatta have won five of the last six encounters, including a thrilling 33-30 golden point triumph in Townsville in Round 10.

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
2026	Parramatta Eels	33–30	Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2025	Parramatta Eels	19–18	CommBank Stadium
2024	Parramatta Eels	27–20	CommBank Stadium
2023	North Queensland Cowboys	24–16	Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2023	Parramatta Eels	24–16	CommBank Stadium

Parramatta Eels Form Analysis

The Eels have never been in the finals hunt in another season decimated by injuries.

But while they've languished near the bottom of the ladder throughout the year, the Eels have never stopped putting in the effort and that's something that will please Jason Ryles.

Case in point last week - the Eels were blown off the park by Souths and were trailing 28-0 at half-time.

Parramatta almost pulled off what would have been the greatest comeback in NRL history, but fell just short in a 28-24 defeat.

North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis

The Cowboys remain the most unpredictable team in the NRL, but they have their finals destiny in their own hands and have a good draw in the run home.

Indeed, the Cowboys start Round 24 in eighth spot on the ladder after bouncing back from their 82-12 hammering at the hands of the Chooks to ease past the Titans 30-8 last week.

Heilum Luki is one of the form backrowers in the competition and crossed for a double, while Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue were dangerous in the halves in the absence of Tom Dearden.

With a bye next week followed by games against the Tigers and Raiders, the Cowboys really should be making the finals.

Eels vs Cowboys Team News

Another injury blow for the Eels with fullback Isaiah Iongi out for the season with a knee injury. Apa Twidle comes in at the back.

Dylan Walker and Sean Russell are also back in the side, with Ryley Smith and Kelma Tuilagi dropped.

Reed Mahoney is back from concussion for the Cowboys, which sees Soni Luke revert to the bench and Matt Lodge drop out the side.

Eels	Pos.	Cowboys
Apa Twidle	1	Scott Drinkwater
Brian Kelly	2	Braidon Burns
Will Penisini	3	Zac Laybutt
Jordan Samrani	4	Tom Chester
Josh Addo-Carr	5	Murray Taulagi
Ronald Volkman	6	Jake Clifford
Mitchell Moses	7	Jaxon Purdue
Luca Moretti	8	Griffin Neame
Tallyn Da Silva	9	Reed Mahoney
Junior Paulo	10	Jason Taumalolo
Jack Williams	11	Heilum Luki
Kitione Kautoga	12	Kai O'Donnell
Jack De Belin	13	Reuben Cotter
Dylan Walker	14	Soni Luke
Saxon Pryke	15	Thomas Mikaele
Teancum Brown	16	John Bateman
Jezaiah Funa-Iuta	17	Coen Hess
Toni Mataele	18	Sam McIntyre
Sean Russell	19	Ethan King

Verdict

Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys

The Eels can cover with a +6.5 start in a game that sees Under 50.5 points, with the Fox & Samrani the try threats.

Eels +6.5

Line

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Josh Addo-Carr

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Jordan Samrani

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