PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND 11 MATCHES (all times AEST):

THURSDAY May 23

Parramatta v Penrith at Bankwest Stadium, 7.50pm

Head to head: Eels 64, Panthers 47, drawn 2

Last clash: Round 1, 2019 – Eels 20 bt Panthers 12 at Panthers Stadium

Ivan Cleary admits there are deeper issues contributing to Penrith’s dreadful form. Whether the prize of bragging rights in Sydney’s west is enough to conquer them is doubtful although the Eels have their own patchy form and a five-day turnaround to to shake off. There are more changes to the Panthers lineup, with Jarome Luai hoping to inject energy in place of the banned James Maloney.

Key: Blake Ferguson – The big winger is named at centre and the home side hopes his impact will there will be just as resounding.

Tip: Eels

FRIDAY May 24

Manly v Gold Coast at Lottoland, 6pm

Head to head: Sea Eagles 10, Titans 8, drawn 2

Last clash: Round 23, 2018 – Titans 42 bt Eagles 34 at Lottoland

Des Hasler hasn’t made any change to a team performing vibrantly without injured stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans. Kane Elgey faces his former Titans teammates for the first time and will fancy his chances in a halfback duel with the struggling Ashley Taylor.

Key: Jai Arrow – A crucial member of the Titans pack who will lock horns with potential State of Origin locking rival Jake Trbojevic.

Tip: Sea Eagles

Newcastle v Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.55pm

Head to head: Roosters 19, Knights 32, Drawn 4

Last clash: Round 14, 2018 – Roosters 18 bt Knights 16 at McDonald Jones Stadium

A month ago this would have been a shoo-in for the Roosters but the Knights are a different beast on the back of four successive wins, including against the Dragons last round. The Roosters will be stinging from their shock loss to Brisbane and with Boyd Cordner and Daniel Tupou back are unlikely to slip up for two in a row.

Key: Kayln and Teddy – need we say more.

Tip: Roosters

SATURDAY May 25

Canberra v North Queensland at GIO Stadium, 3pm

Head to head: Raiders 24, Cowboys 18, drawn 1

Last clash: Round 4, 2019 – Raiders 30 bt Cowboys 12 at 1300SMILES Stadium

Joe Tapine returns on the bench for a Canberra side whose compelling start to the season has hit a speed bump with successive losses. Even more importantly for the visitors, Josh McGuire has also shaken off injury and is joined in the pack by Jake Granville, who dodged a judiciary charge.

Key: Obstruction – The Cowboys had three tries disallowed for blocking runners in beating the Eels and will need to be more coherent against the belligerent Raiders defence.

Tip: Raiders

Warriors v Brisbane at Mt Smart Stadium, 5.30pm

Head to head: Broncos 24, Warriors 18, drawn 2

Last clash: Round 18, 2018 – Warriors 26 bt Broncos 6 at Suncorp Stadium

Kodi Nikorima insists he isn’t motivated by beating his former club but it’s hard to believe him. He’s introduced the sort of classy attacking touches the Kiwi side were missing before his two appearances. Both teams are chasing a third straight win, with Brisbane’s in-form pack holding the key if they can muscle up sufficiently.

Key: Payne Haas – Watch out Warriors if there’s more fire and brimstone from the Broncos youngster, who seems destined for an Origin debut.

Tip: Warriors

South Sydney v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm

Head to head: Rabbitohs 17, Wests Tigers 15, drawn 2

Last clash: Round 25, 2018 – Rabbitohs 51 bt Wests Tigers 10 at ANZ Stadium

The Tigers let one big fish off the hook against the Storm last round and they will be determined to land the ladder leaders. The Rabbitohs had a tight win over the Raiders and are unchanged while the Tigers have named Paul Momirovski at centre pushing Robert Jennings to the wing with Mahe Fonua paying for his costly late defensive miss against the Storm.

Key: The hooking battle – Robbie Farah versus Damien Cook

Tip: Souths

SUNDAY May 26

Canterbury v Melbourne at Belmore Sports Ground, 2pm

Head to head: Bulldogs 21, Storm 19, drawn 1

Last clash: Round 4, 2019 – Storm 18 bt Bulldogs 16 at AAMI Park

Exciting youngster Ryan Papenhuyzen has made way for the return of Storm fullback Jahrome Hughes (concussion) as Melbourne travel north. Canterbury match up well against the Storm and should have got the points in round four. The Bulldogs will have their tails up after a big second half secured a win over the Titans and they will fancy their chances.

Key: Bulldogs playmaker Kieran Foran, who is getting back to his best.

Tip: Bulldogs

St George Illawarra v Cronulla at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm

Head to head: Dragons 22, Sharks 19, drawn 3

Last clash: Round 6, 2018 – Dragons 40 bt Sharks 20 at WIN Stadium

After a sparkling start the Dragons are falling into must-win territory after dropping their last four, with fullback Matt Dufty and winger Mikaele Ravalawa axed. The Sharks may also have a new fullback with Matt Moylan, who has been out since round three, a potential starter. The Sharks will also be upset with their last round fail against Manly and should have too much strike-power for their neighbours.

Key: Halfback Ben Hunt needs to bring his best for the Dragons to snap their losing streak.

Tip: Sharks.