NRL Round 11 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders @ ANZ Stadium
Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders @ ANZ Stadium
Preview - Both the Eels and Raiders will be desperate to get back into the winners circle when they lock horns in a mid-table struggle at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. The Eels put in one of their worst performances of Brad Arthur's tenure as they were smashed 48-10 by the Roosters in a game they were never competitive in at ANZ Stadium. The Eels have prided themselves on being resolute and competitive in defeat, however the Roosters blew them away from the opening whistle and Arthur would have been cracking the whip this week at training. The Raiders have dropped their past 3 games and, one of the favourites to win the competiton at the start of the season, suddenly find themselves under pressure sitting at 4-6 and outside the Top 8. Last weekend they hit their low point with a shock 34-20 loss to the cellar dwelling Newcastle Knights in a game where they couldn't match the Knights' intensity and enthusiasm.
History - The Raiders have dominated the Eels over the past 5 seasons, winning 8 from the past 10 encounters. Earlier this season they were far too strong down in Canberra winning 30-18 in a game where the Eels were competitive but never really looked like winning. Whilst the Raiders have never faced the Eels at ANZ Stadium, they have a really poor recent record there, with just 2 wins from their past 7 games at the venue.
Parramatta Eels' Scouting Report - It's been a mixed week for the Eels with the bad news that star playmaker Corey Norman will be out for up to 6 weeks with a knee injury suffered in their heavy loss to the Roosters last week. However, they have finally secured the services of five-eight Mitchell Moses who will slot straight in to halfback for this game after securing his release from the Tigers. Moses' form has been extremely poor this season, with just 1 try assist, however his head didn't look in the game at the Tigers and he is a player of potential and talent.
Canberra Raiders' Scouting Report - The Raiders welcome back star back rower Josh Papalii after he sat out one game for disciplinary reasons. Luke Bateman goes back to the bench whilst Dunamis Lui drops off the bench for a Canberra pack that has not been anywhere near as dominant this season as last season. As a result their much vaunted combination of Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana has been quiet in recent weeks.
Verdict - Raiders by 1-8 in a low scoring game
It's hard to trust the Raiders at the moment after I have tipped them the past 3 weeks only to see them fall to disappointing losses to the the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Knights in games they were favoured to win. However, I can't tip the Eels without Corey Norman given how poor they have been without him at various times throughout the past 12 months. Mitchell Moses definitely gives them an injection of quality in the halves, however he is playing poorly at the moment and will be under pressure coming in, trying to run a side that he has only been at for a few days. I think the expected rain might play to the advantage of the Eels as they try and grind out a victory in a forward type battle. I just think there is more at stake for the Raiders this game, given they are siting at 4-6 and they can squeak over the line with a close victory in a hard fought game.