2020 NRL – Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Sunday 2nd August, 2020 – 05:00 (UK)
Where is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels taking place? ANZ Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels? 18c, partly cloudy
What channel is Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Starting 13: Meaney, Watene-Zelezniak, Lafai, Averillo, Montoya, Foran, Lewis, Tolman, Marshall-King, Napa, Jackson, Faitala-Mariner, Thompson – Interchanges: Cogger, Katoa, Sue, Ogden – Reserves: Holland, To’omaga, C. Smith, R. Smith
Unavailable: Joe Stimson (Injured), Will Hopoate (Injured), Adam Elliott (Injured), Jayden Okunbor (Suspended)
- Canterbury Bulldogs claimed just their second victory of the campaign as they held off a Newcastle Knights comeback in awful conditions last week with that result seeing the Bulldogs move to within two points of lifting themselves off the foot of the NRL table.
- Having lost six games in a row, the Bulldogs were able to lead 0-18 headed into the final quarter of the contest and despite the Knights crossing twice to reduce the deficit, the Doggies were able to see the game out to claim the 12-18 victory.
- A 91% completion rate in the terrible weather helped the Bulldogs to their brilliant result and they will look to build on that as they host Parramatta Eels in a game where they will hand Tim Lafai his first appearance since his return to the club while Jack Cogger and Sauaso Sue are the other changes to last week.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Blake, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Matterson, N. Brown – Interchanges: Davey, Niukore, Evans, Kaufusi – Reserves: Takairangi, G. Utoikamanu, Gower, Smith
Unavailable: Peni Terepo (Injured), Ray Stone (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels bounced back from their loss to Manly Sea Eagles as they overturned Wests Tigers last week but the Eels will want to offer more here after failing to really kick-on when they were on top in the second period.
- The Eels saw plenty of ball as they spent over five minutes longer with it than their opponents and despite crossing for five tries, they will feel more went begging with them spending decent spells in the Tigers’ half in the second period.
- Parramatta will look to solidify their place in the top four with another win here and their squad is boosted by the return of the injured Kane Evans and Oregon Kaufusi with Brad Takirangi and Stefano Utoikamanu the two to make way.
THE PREDICTION
Canterbury Bulldogs were able to win just their second game of 2020 as they shocked Newcastle Knights last week but they will face a huge challenge to back that up as they host Parramatta Eels. The visitors have enjoyed a great season to date and have lost just two of their 11 matches but they still have room for improvement. They will want to be better with the ball this week and although the Bulldogs were able to earn a rare victory last week, they look likely to be on the end of a big defeat in this one with the Eels able to win by at least 18 points.
