EELS
After recording wins over the Titans and Sharks in consecutive weeks, the Eels started short-priced favourites to inflict more pain on the Raiders last week when the two sides met in Darwin.

Those who took $1.22 were worried for the majority of the match though with the Eels stumbling through the first half, committing far too many errors and completing just over half of their sets.

Special Offer: $250 FREE BET on Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs

It wasn’t until the 70th minute that the Eels were able to wrestle the lead off of the Raiders through yet another magnificent solo effort from star fullback Jarryd Hayne. It was his second for the match making it a double in each of the past three matches.

The win keeps the Eels in touch with the top half of the competition and sitting on the same points as Melbourne, Warriors, Cowboys and this weekend’s opponents, the Bulldogs

The Eels have enjoyed a good run in terms of the draw in recent weeks but have taken their time to put the game to bed in each match. Substantial improvement on these efforts is still required if they are to be a chance of making the finals.

Fuifui Moimoi comes in for Junior Paulo whilst promising back-rower Tepai Moeroa will start with Pauli Pauli on the bench.

BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs couldn’t put a halt to their poor run of form last week against the Broncos in Brisbane, suffering a 41 – 10 loss.

It was the Bulldogs fourth loss in a row and it saw the one-time competition leaders continue their slide down the ladder, hitting eighth spot.

It was an uncharacteristically tame effort from the Bulldogs who usually respond in a gritty manner when their backs are to the wall.

Compounding the result for the Bulldogs was the unbelievable actions of Josh Reynolds who was placed on report for three separate incidents in the space in the second half before being sent to the sin-bin with eight minutes to play.

After taking the early guilty plea, he will now miss the next three weeks. Also out of this clash will be big forward Sam Kasiano who left the field last week with an ankle early in the game.

Aside from their absences, the Bulldogs have named a good looking side. Certainly one stronger than the line-up who were defeated by the Eels 22 – 12 back in 14 when the likes of Morris, Ennis, Tolman were all out.

Their run of seven straight wins in the first half of year has afforded the Bulldogs to keep their place in the eight despite their current poor form but their chances to save themselves falling further are quickly running out,

HEAD TO HEAD
The Eels win over the Dogs earlier this year was their first in seven matches played between the two clubs since 2011.

The Eels haven’t been convincing in their recent wins over teams toward the bottom of the ladder but they’ve been winning and that should see them heading into this game in a better state of mind than the Dogs.

Expected to see a lot more from the Dogs last week who were disappointing. They have a strong record over the Eels and the line-up to reverse the form but they’ve let punters down in recent weeks and cannot be tipped with any great confidence.

No surprise to see the maker split down the middle for this one.

Teams:

Eels: Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, William Hopoate, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Isaac De Gois, Fuifui Moimoi, Kenny Edwards, Tepai Moeroa, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Pauli Pauli, David Gower, Darcy Lussick, Ben Smith

Ins: Vai Toutai, Fuifui Moimoi, Pauli Pauli

Outs: Bureta Faraimo, Peni Terepo, Junior Paulo

Bulldogs: Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Mitch Brown, Moses Mbye, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), James Graham, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Reni Maitua, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer, Lloyd Perrett, Pat O’Hanlon

Ins: Moses Mbye, Reni Maitua, Pat O’Hanlon

Outs: Josh Reynolds, Sam Kasiano