The Stats Zone
· Ash Wheldon

2018 NRL – Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Thursday 19th July, 10:50 (UK)

Where? ANZ Stadium

What channel is it on? UK - Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will not be televised live in the UK
Australia - Nine Network, Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=EELS1918

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

EELS

Head Coach: Brad Arthur

Starting 13: Gutherson, French, M. Jennings, Hayne, G. Jennings, Norman, Moses, Alvaro, Pritchard, Vave, Niukore, Takairangi, Brown – Interchanges: Moeroa, Mannah, Gower, Terepo – Reserves: Salmon, Mahoney

Unavailable: Tony Williams, Manu Ma’u, Will Smith, Cameron King

  • Parramatta couldn’t find the front against a resolute Newcastle side last week as a scoreless final quarter ensured that the Eels remained at the foot of the NRL ladder. The Eels raced into an early lead with two tries in the first 10 minutes but couldn’t build on it and lost 18-16.

  • Kaysa Pritchard returns at hooker in place of the injured Cameron King in Parramatta’s only change from last week.

  • The Eels have won just one of their last nine games and will be looking to try and improve that record with a win here to draw level on points with the Bulldogs.

BULLDOGS

Head Coach: Dean Pay

Starting 13: Hopoate, B. Morris, J. Morris, Holland, Smith, Lewis, Marshall-King, Tolman, Lichaa, Klemmer, Jackson, Martin, Elliott – Interchanges: Brown, Priest, Ogden, Fualalo – Reserves: Eastwood, Olive

Unavailable: Kieran Foran, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Marcelo Montoya

  • Canterbury were outclassed by league leaders South Sydney but the Bulldogs at least gave a decent account of themselves. The Rabbitohs had too much class as a Robert Jennings hat-trick helped them to down Canterbury 6-24.

  • Dean Pay has named an unchanged 17 from last week but Greg Eastwood is available again after a knock and could receive a late call-up.

  • The Bulldogs are on a run of 1-6 and 1-4 away from home although they did beat the Eels when the two teams met in Round 10.

THE PREDICTION

This is far from a Thursday night thriller with bottom-placed Parramatta facing Canterbury at ANZ. The Bulldogs are only two places and two points ahead of the Eels with the two teams sharing just seven victories so far this season as they find themselves embroiled in the race to avoid the wooden spoon. Both have shown some signs of life recently but it’s been the Bulldogs that look like they are capable of winning a few games before the end of the season with their young halves leading the way. This should be a close game and could turn into a decent contest with neither having anything to lose but preference is just for the Bulldogs.

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