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Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 5 Tips & Prediction - Tigers backed on Easter Monday

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 02 Apr 2026 14:21

In an enticing Easter Monday showdown at CommBank Stadium, the Wests Tigers are poised to challenge the Parramatta Eels in NRL Round 5 action. Despite being slight underdogs, the Tigers are backed to maintain their strong season start after a decisive victory over the Warriors. Historically, the Tigers have shown strength at this venue, capturing three of their last four encounters against the Eels. The match promises a high-scoring affair, with prolific scorers like Sunia Turuva and Kai Pearce-Paul likely to make a significant impact.

Andrew Hendrie 02 Apr 2026
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  • Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers predictions for Monday's NRL Round 5 game
  • Eels have seen 50+ points in all four games this season - another high-scoring game tipped for Easter Monday
  • Eels continue to leak tries to centres & second-rowers - Turuva & Pearce-Paul value options
  • The match is scheduled for kick off at 4.05pm AEDT on Monday April 6
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Eels Tigers NRL
Eels and Tigers clash on Easter Monday (Photo by Getty Images)


Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 5 Tips & Prediction


The Tigers are backed as slight underdogs to continue their bright start to the season and conquer the Eels in what promises to be an entertaining Easter Monday showdown at CommBank with plenty of points.

No Luai, no worries for the Tigers - what an ambush it was across the ditch last week as Benji Marshall's side crushed the previously undefeated Warriors by 18 points, led by halfback Adam Doueihi, who himself made a miraculous recovery from injury to feature. Jock Madden was also immense and played one of his best games in years as the Tigers ran rampant.

This Tigers side certainly have points in them after they also dropped 44 on the Cowboys to launch their season. With the Eels remaining vulnerable defensively, but also having the ability to pile points on quickly themselves, the Over 49.5 game total is an attractive option here. Parramatta managed to put 20 points on the rock-solid Panthers' defence last week, so I can see a very open and quick game playing out on a dry Easter Monday track at CommBank.

I think this is basically a Pick 'Em' contest, so I'm happy to side with the Tigers as minor underdogs in the H2H market - they've won three of their last four against the Eels at this venue. I'm also keen to jump on the 'Eels leaking tries to centres & second-rowers' trend that has emerged to kick off the campaign. Sunia Turuva has a great record against the Eels and is solid value to cross, while Kai Pearce-Paul has three tries in as many games to open the season. Not an official play, but $10 on offer for Turuva 2+ tries with Dabble is a solid lean for those looking for a bit more Easter Monday value.
  • Tigers have won three of the last four meetings between the teams at CommBank
  • 60+ points have been scored in two of the last three meetings
  • Eels have seen 50+ points in all four games this season
  • Eels have conceded 12 tries to second-rowers and centres in four games this season
  • Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his last four games vs Eels & crossed last week
  • Kai Pearce-Paul has scored three tries in three games this season

Eels vs Tigers Head To Head

These two teams have split their last four meetings at two wins apiece, including one victory each in 2025.

YearWinnerScoreVenue
2025Parramatta38–22CommBank
2025Wests Tigers32–6CommBank
2024Parramatta60–26Campbelltown
2024Wests Tigers17–16CommBank
2023Parramatta28–22Accor

Parramatta Eels Form Analysis

It's been an okay start to the season for Parramatta, but they've been exposed defensively by the elite sides.

The Eels opened the season by conceding 50 points to the Storm, but bounced back strongly to defeat reigning premiers Brisbane 42-30 in an entertaining clash.

Parramatta did enough to take down the Dragons 30-20, but were predictably no match for a rampant Panthers side last week, going down 48-20.

Jason Ryles' side were never in the hunt as they went down 18-0 after 14 minutes, but they did manage to become the first team to score 20 points against Penrith in 2026. If they could just get their defence right, the Eels would be on their way.

Parramatta Eels Team News

Two big injury blows came out of that Penrith loss, with Matt Doorey gone for the season with an ACL injury, while Isaiah Iongi is out with an ankle problem.

Joash Papalii comes in at fullback, while Charlie Guymer joins the bench.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Joash Papali’i 
2. Bailey Simonsson 
3. Brian Kelly 
4. Sean Russell 
5. Josh Addo-Carr 
6. Jonah Pezet 
7. Mitchell Moses 
8. Jack Williams 
9. Ryley Smith 
10. Junior Paulo 
11. Kelma Tuilagi 
12. Kitione Kautoga 
13. Dylan Walker 

Interchange
14. Tallyn Da Silva 
15. Sam Tuivaiti 
16. Charlie Guymer 
17. Luca Moretti 

Reserves
18. Jack de Belin 
19. Apa Twidle 
20. Ronald Volkman 
21. Teancum Brown 
22. Araz Nanva

Wests Tigers Form Analysis

It's been a bright start to the season for the Tigers - but that was also the case last year before they faded mid-season, so it will be interesting to see what lessons they've learned over the last 12 months.

The loss of Jarome Luai seemed like a big blow, but Jock Madden and Adam Doueihi stepped up with a brilliant display in the halves to lead their side to a 32-14 victory over the Warriors last week.

The Tigers finished strongly with six of the last seven tries, while their outside backs dominated metres, with Luke Laulilii, Sunia Turuva and Jahream Bula ranking in the top three.

Kai Pearce-Paul continues to highlight why he was one of the most underrated off-season purchases, with the second-rower crossing for his third try in as many games.

Wests Tigers Team News

No changes, with Benji Marshall sticking solid with the same squad that took out the Warriors.

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula 
2. Faaletino Tavana 
3. Sunia Turuva 
4. Heamasi Makasini 
5. Luke Laulilii 
6. Jock Madden 
7. Adam Doueihi 
8. Terrell May 
9. Apisai Koroisau 
10. Fonua Pole 
11. Samuela Fainu 
12. Kai Pearce-Paul 
13. Alex Twal 

Interchange
14. Latu Fainu 
15. Sione Fainu 
16. Royce Hunt 
17. Alex Seyfarth 

Reserves
18. Bunty Afoa 
19. Jeral Skelton 
20. Tristan Hope 
21. Tony Sukkar 
22. Patrick Herbert

Verdict

The Tigers are tipped to take down the Eels in a game with plenty of points. Turuva & Pierce-Paul look good value to cross.

Best Bet1: Over 49.5 Total Points $1.90 at Betfocus - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Tigers Win H2H $2.15 at NextBet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Sunia Turuva Anytime Tryscorer $2.80 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Kai Pearce-Paul Anytime Tryscorer $4.00 at dabble - 1 Unit
Over 49.5
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Betting Slip | 06 Apr 2026

Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers