2020 NRL – Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers taking place? Thursday 23rd July, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers taking place? Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers? 11c, clear skies
What channel is Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers 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 Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers? 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 Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Blake, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Matterson, N. Brown – Interchanges: Davey, Niukore, Utoikamanu, Takairangi – Reserves: Gower, G. Jennings
Unavailable: Kane Evans (Injured), Peni Terepo (Injured), Oregon Kaufusi (Injured), Ray Stone (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels relinquished their spot at the top of the NRL ladder as they suffered just their second loss of the season in a shock defeat away at Manly Sea Eagles last weekend and they will be eager to respond after producing an underwhelming performance.
- The Eels lost by just four points but the scoreline was distorted by them scoring 10 points in the final eight minutes in a game where they failed to make their chances count despite seeing 57% of the ball and making 2,229 metres which was over 750m more than their opponents.
- In their bid to bounce back this week, the Eels are boosted by the return of injured trio Mitchell Moses, Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson at the expense of Jai Field, George Jennings and David Gower, while Maika Sivo and Nathan Brown have been named despite copping knocks against the Sea Eagles.
WESTS TIGERS
Starting 13: Doueihi, Nofoaluma, Lawrence, Mbye, Talau, Walters, Marshall, Aloiai, Grant, Packer, Chee-Kam, L. Leilua, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: McIntyre, Brooks, McQueen, Clark – Reserves: Blore, Seyfarth
Unavailable: Jacob Liddle (Injured), Alex Twal (Injured), Robert Jennings (Injured), Zane Musgrove (Injured), Joey Leilua (Suspended), Josh Reynolds (Suspended), Luke Garner (Injured), Thomas Mikaele (Injured)
- Wests Tigers produced a ruthless display as they were huge winners over Brisbane Broncos last week and despite scoring 48 points, keeping their opponents scoreless was arguably the most pleasing aspect for head coach Michael Maguire.
- The Tigers notched nine tries in wet conditions as their new halves pairing of Benji Marshall and Billy Walters worked a treat with that duo playing off a dominant performance from their middle men with Wests recording 1,958 metres.
- They will need to produce the same level of performance in this clash with Parramatta Eels, although they will be without the services of the injured Luke Garner with Michael Chee-Kam taking his spot in the second row in what was set to be the only change to last week’s victorious side but Thomas Mikaele was ruled out 24 hours before kick-off with Oliver Clark taking his spot on the bench.
THE PREDICTION
A return to Bankwest Stadium will be welcomed by Parramatta Eels after they lost on the road at Manly Sea Eagles last week which saw them surrender their spot at the top of the ladder. They face a potentially tricky contest with a buoyant Wests Tigers who ran rampant against Brisbane Broncos last week and they will be eager to back that up. The Eels are boosted by the return of three key men and having won the last three against Wests as well as winning all but one of their games at Bankwest so far this season, they start as favourites. A better performance than last week is sure to happen but Wests can make this competitive and their +8.5 start on the handicap looks appealing.
