Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Nine experts pick their winners

Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould claims the Eels' win over the Broncos has unjustifiably skewed the market, with the home team a strong favourite to secure back-to-back victories when they host the Dragons for a Sunday afternoon blockbuster at CommBank Stadium.

While complimentary of the Eels' ability to turn a poor start against the Broncos into two points, he said the Dragons should be given more credit for their first two games - a devastating golden point loss to the Bulldogs in Las Vegas and a strong performance against the Storm that fell apart in the last 20 minutes.

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The Dragons sit 14th on the ladder as one of five teams yet to register a win but Gould was adamant they have shown that they can be a good side in their first two hit outs, perhaps even more so than the Eels, who were considered strong contenders to play finals football in 2026 before the season began.

"I know the Eels are favourites but I don't see anything in their first two performances to warrant them being $1.50 favourites against anyone. I think that's a bad price, I think it's a bad market," Gould told Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast.

"Obviously they're (the bookmakers) saying they're returning to CommBank for their first home game of the season and perhaps, Sunday afternoon football, I just think the Dragons credentials so far in this season to me probably read a little better."

Gould's podcast was recorded on Wednesday and the price for Parramatta to win Sunday's contest has since drifted slightly with TAB, out to $1.55, to partly reflect the commentator's sentiment.

Yet it still makes them prohibitive favourites against the Dragons' $2.45. Nine's expert tipsters have also unanimously backed the Eels, apart from Gould, who is tipping the Dragons.

Earlier in his podcast, Gould made the point that St George Illawarra had been quite successful this season in slowing the game down, claiming they were deliberately putting the handbrake on contests to play into the hands of their big forward pack.

That may have contributed to their competitive outings against two powerhouse teams, with the Dragons at one point looking like winners during their round two clash with the Storm, who thrashed the Eels in round one.

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"The Dragons - a golden point loss to Bulldogs in Las Vegas where they played really well, they controlled the ball well, they completed 37 sets of six," Gould said.

"I said they'd play well last week against the Storm and they did for probably 55, 56 minutes. And then it fell away at the back end, but it was the Melbourne Storm, and to be actually leading the Melbourne Storm at that stage of the game, 10 minutes into the second half, is pretty good form.

"They were probably unlucky not to be leading by more. Provided they can control the ball and control where the game is played I give them a real good chance at winning this game."

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