Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction, Tips & Odds

Parramatta Eels host Manly Sea Eagles in Round 18 of the 2026 NRL season at CommBank Stadium on Sunday. Read on for our full match preview, betting tips, and best odds.

The Eels are in the midst of what is looming as a wasted year, while the Sea Eagles are setting their sights on the top four.  

FORM: The Eels have won one of their last five and were lapped 32-12 by the Rabbitohs last Thursday.  

The Sea Eagles have had a couple of bumps over the past month, but they bounced back from a 13-12 loss to the Bulldogs with a 30-4 rout of the Storm last Saturday to keep pace with the top four.  

INS AND OUTS: Jonah Pezet returns to NRL duty for the first time since Round 5, replacing NSW star Mitch Moses at halfback in Parramatta’s only change.   

Joey Walsh comes in following Luke Brooks’ season-ending ACL injury, while Clayton Faulalo and Reuben Garrick return in the Manly backline with Tolu Koula in Origin camp and Josh Feledy dropping out. Kobe Hetherington is also back and Corey Waddell replaces NSW’s Haumole Olakau’atu. 

KEY MATCH-UP: Ronald Volkman has been doing a superb job in the halves during a tough period for the Eels, while new Sea Eagles No.6 Walsh is among the game’s brightest young playmaking talents.  

HISTORY: Manly has won three of the archrivals’ last four encounters, including a 33-18 result at 4 Pines Park in Round 8 this year. 

KEY STAT: These teams’ last seven encounters were all won by the home team.  

VERDICT: The Eels are doing it tough with a hefty injury toll for a roster that already had gaping holes in it. As poor as Mitch Moses has been this year, the blue-and-golds rarely win without him.  

Expect the Sea Eagles’ depth to come to the fore with Walsh a great halves replacement and Faulalo a luxury inclusion with Koula out. Manly has conceded more than 18 points just once under Kieran Foran, which tells you everything you need to know about this team’s attitude shift.  

Prediction: Back the Eels to Score Under 20.5 Points @ $1.80 

SGM: SEA EAGLES -8.5 / UNDER 49.5 POINTS / TOM TRBOJEVIC ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CLAYTON FAULALO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $16.46