Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 22 match is between Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:35 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. The away team St George Illawarra Dragons are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons.
When: 19:35 | Saturday 11/08/2018
Where: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
While the wheels look to have maybe fallen off the Dragons, this game is a must win and a should win.
They lost their last game against the Warriors who were outstanding and it was a high-quality game.
On the other hand, the Eels won but in a very different style of game.
The Dragons need to get some self-belief back and should do it this week.
Losing 4 from their last 5 would be hurting the internal surrounds.
One thing needed for a run into the finals is great team belief.
KEY BATTLE: Mitchell Moses v Ben Hunt
I’m looking forward to the battle between both halves pairings.
Both teams rely heavily on their talented halves and both provide so much.
The Verdict
I feel the Dragons will do whatever it takes to win this one and except one of Hunt or Gareth Widdop to lead that charge.
Parramatta has an 18-14 (56.3 percent) record as a home underdog in night matches since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
Parramatta Eels at $2.80
St George Illawarra Dragons at $1.45
Odds:
Tip: St George Illawarra Dragons at $1.48
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Matthew Dufty at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Parramatta Eels:
1 Corey Norman, 2 Jarryd Hayne, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Clint Gutherson (c), 5 George Jennings, 6 Jaeman Salmon, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Siosaia Vave, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Kane Evans, 16 Peni Terepo, 17 Brad Takairangi
Reserves: 18 Bevan French, 19 David Gower, 20 Oregan Kaufusi, 21 Raymond Stone.
St George Illawarra Dragons: 
1 Matt Dufty, 2 Jordan Pereira, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Leeson Ah Mau, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Blake Lawrie, 17 Luciano Leilua
Reserves: 18 Jacob Host, 19 Nene Macdonald, 20 Zachary Lomax, 21 Hame Sele.
NRL News:
St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan is in a race against the clock to be fit for the NRL finals because of an ankle injury.
The club on Tuesday confirmed the NSW State of Origin front-rower suffered a high ankle sprain in the weekend’s loss to the Warriors.
He is expected to miss the next four weeks, putting him in doubt to be back on the park before the finals.
It’s a blow for the Dragons who have slumped badly over recent weeks, losing four of their last five games.
They currently sit in the top four on 28 points, but their place in the finals is in danger if they lose all four of their remaining games.
