After a strong start to the year, Wests Tigers will look to bounce back in the winners circle this Sunday when they take on the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Ivan Cleary's side last weekend in Tamworth that halted the side's winning run at three in a row, with a last minute try handing the Knights a gritty two-point victory.
While playing far from their best footy, Cleary's men will no doubt take confidence from the way they rallied back in the second half to eventually lead the Novacastrians — despite playing large portions of the match without three key players in Benji Marshall, Jacob Liddle and Elijah Taylor.
All three players have been named to take their place in this week's team in a boost for Wests Tigers, while the return of co-captain Chris Lawrence will add plenty of punch and leadership on the edge — a needed inclusion for the visitors this week as they take on a Parramatta side no doubt filled with confidence.
The Eels were somewhat downtrodden when the two sides met earlier in the year, winless and out of luck with a slew of injuries, but a breakthrough victory last weekend over Manly will certainly have put the wind back in the sails of Brad Arthur's side. With Clint Gutherson back and the halves clicking last week, Parramatta will be desperate to build on the foundation laid last weekend and make amends for the disappointing defeat they suffered at the hands of Wests Tigers when they played on Easter Monday.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, April 29, 2018
Time — 4:00pm AEST
Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
GAME DAY INFORMATION
For all Match Day Information and to buy tickets for Sunday's game, please click here.
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Fox League (Ch.502) and Channel 9
Radio — FM 104.9 Triple M Sydney, AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 2GB 873
Live Stream —Foxtel Go, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass, Watch NRL Streaming (exc. Australia)
LATEST CROWNBET ODDS
Head to Head — Wests Tigers ($1.78), Parramatta Eels ($2.05)
Line — Wests Tigers -1.5 ($1.92), Parramatta Eels +1.5 ($1.92)
Odds correct as of 3:00pm, Thursday, April 26 — 18+ only, gamble responsibly.
TEAM LISTS
Parramatta Eels — 1. Clint Gutherson (capt.) 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tony Williams 13. Peni Terepo (Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Kenny Edwards 16. David Gower 17. Tim Mannah 18. Tepai Moeroa 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Cameron King)
Wests Tigers — 1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence (capt.) 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Elijah Taylor (Interchange: 14. Pita Godinet 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Michael Chee Kam 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Tim Grant 19. Chris McQueen 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Mahe Fonua)
RECENT RESULTS
Parramatta Eels
Round 3 — Cronulla Sharks 14 def. Parramatta Eels 4 at ANZ Stadium
Round 4 — Wests Tigers 30 def. Parramatta Eels 20 at ANZ Stadium
Round 5 — Penrith Panthers 12 def. Parramatta Eels 6 at ANZ Stadium
Round 6 — Canberra Raiders 18 def. Parramatta Eels 2 at GIO Stadium
Round 7 — Parramatta Eels 44 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10 at ANZ Stadium
Wests Tigers
Round 3 — Brisbane Broncos 9 def. Wests Tigers 7 at Campbelltown
Round 4 — Wests Tigers 30 def. Parramatta Eels 20 at ANZ Stadium
Round 5 — Wests Tigers 11 def. Melbourne Storm 10 at Mount Smart Stadium
Round 6 — Wests Tigers 38 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 at Lottoland
Round 7 — Newcastle Knights 22 def. Wests Tigers 20 at Scully Park
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 8 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
5th Position
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
KEY MATCHUP — Mitchell Moses vs. Luke Brooks
It's the matchup that everyone will have their eyes on seemingly every time the house mates come up against each other, but particularly this week given the two contrasting starts to the season. Billed as an Origin contender pre-season, Moses has struggled to find the same form that took Parramatta to the finals last year, before breaking out of his shell last week with a dominant role in the Eels win over Manly. Many will be hoping his form can continue this weekend, while on the other side stands Brooks: potentially the front-runner to feature for the Blues in Origin with Mitchell Pearce's season-ending injury. Brooks has been a star for Ivan Cleary's side this year with his kicking and running game breaking open a number of games as his combination with Benji Marshall continues to grow. How the two respective forward packs fare will no doubt contribute to what individual success the two playmakers may have, but there's no doubting that whichever halfback can come out on top this Sunday will most likely have the two points in hand as well.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referees — Matt Cecchin and Phil Henderson
Touch Judges — Chris Sutton and Grant Atkins
Review Officials — Ashley Klein and Ben Galea
