Parramatta Stadium

Friday, 7.30pm

Parramatta Eels $1.80 vs Wests Tigers $2.00 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Parramatta Eels $1.75 vs Wests Tigers $2.10 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Parramatta Eels	1.80	1.75	1.63	1.75	1.80	1.77
Wests Tigers	2.00	2.10	2.32	2.10	2.00	2.05

Preview:

It’s been a miserable year for both of these sides.

West have lost their last four matches with the most recent, a poor performance against Gold Coast 36 – 6. The loss has seen West concede an average, 33 points per game in the past month.

Benji Marshall impending departure from the club continues to be a distraction that the club itself and players can well do without.

On the flipside, Parramatta could welcome back star fullback Jarrod Hayne from injury.

He’ll certainly be a welcomed return for the last placed Eels who will take the field not having won a game in their past ten matches.

In the past two weeks, Parramatta have conceded 80 points and posted just 16. In fact, Parra haven’t scored more than 10 points in a game since round 14.

It’s hard to find a valid reason to select either team. Maybe the home ground advantage coupled with the possible return of Hayne and, the fact that for Parramatta this is more than likely their last chance to post a win in season 2013, will be enough to see them over the line.

West has won six of the seven matches between the two sides with the last three games producing a total match point score of 49, 77 and 61.

Teams:

Parramatta Eels:
Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Semi Radradra, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Daniel Harrison, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Peni Terepo, Mitch Allgood, Junior Paulo

Wests Tigers:
James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Blake Ayshford, Tim Simona, Marika Koroibete, Benji Marshall, Braith Anasta, Keith Galloway, Joel Luani, Adam Blair, Liam Fulton, Bodene Thompson, Sauaso Sue. Interchange: Ava Seumanufagai, Jack Buchanan, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Curtis Sironen

Paterson, Austin to join Tigers

Wests Tigers have thrown an NRL lifeline to back-rower Cory Paterson and added former Australian Schoolboy Blake Austin to their roster for the 2014 NRL season.

Paterson, who has bravely fought a high-profile battle with depression, is currently with Hull KR in the European Super League and will join the Tigers on a one-year deal next year.

Former Penrith playmaker Austin has signed with the joint venture for two years.

Coach Mick Potter said both players would be important additions to the club’s NRL squad.

“At 22, Blake is a player with plenty of potential. He has a wide range of skills and his utility value will add plenty of depth to the squad,” Potter said in a statement.

“He can cover centre, half, five-eighth and lock and is also an excellent goal kicker.

“Cory is a big strapping back-rower who can break the line and also offload the ball. He is an experienced NRL player who still has plenty to offer.

“He is playing very well for Hull KR but his wife is extremely homesick. Cory is coming back for a chance to re-establish himself in the NRL. His experience will be invaluable to some of our younger back-rowers.”

Former Newcastle and North Queensland back-rower Paterson, 26, has played 101 NRL games.

Austin spent three seasons with Penrith from 2011 and has played 15 NRL games.

The acquisitions come on top of last week’s announcement from the Tigers of the signings of boom youngsters Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses on four-year deals to cover for the loss of playmaker Benji Marshall, who is expected to join Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise The Blues.

NSW Cup hooker Joel Luani inked a two-year deal as a potential back-up for captain Robbie Farah.

While veteran Dean Halatau has also joined the Tigers for the next two seasons.