NRL Round 17 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - Two arch Western Sydney rivals, the Bulldogs and the Eels, lock horns in a crucial Round 17 game at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. The Bulldogs slumped to another disappointing defeat last week away to the Warriors, going down 21-14, to slump to 13th on the NRL ladder with just 6 wins from 15 games in 2017. The Bulldogs’ attack is the worst in the competition, having scored just 208 points this year, at an average of just over 14 points per game. The Eels are fresh off a bye after a convincing 28-10 win over the Dragons saw them jump back into 8th spot on the table. Consistency has been a problem for Brad Arthur's men this year, with some of their worst losses coming directly after some of their best wins. 
 
History - The Eels have won the past 2 clashes between the two Clubs, however before that it was all the Bulldogs who won 9 of the previous 10 games. Overall these two great rivals have played 140 times, with the Bulldogs winning 75 to the Eels 60, with 5 draws.

Parramatta Eels’ Scouting Report - The Eels have lost young hooker Kaysa Pritchard to a long term injury, with Cameron King coming in to replace him at hooker. Veteran enforcer Beau Scott has been ruled out for the season with a bicep injury with Tepai Moeroa replacing him on the bench. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - The Dogs have suffered a big blow with skipper James Graham out for a month with a neck injury. Greg Eastwood is also out, which promotes Sam Kasiano to the starting front row with Francis Tualau coming off the bench. Brett Morris plays his first game for the Bulldogs in a month, coming on to the wing in place of Kerrod Holland.
 
Verdict - Parramatta by 8-16

Hard to see anything else other than an Eels’ victory here as they step up their finals’ push. The Dogs can only pick themselves up off the floor so many times, and I think they have just about hit the wall. They have the worst attack in the competition and I find it hard to see them mustering the 3-4 tries needed to beat an Eels’ side that has more strike power. Parramatta's last victory over the Dragons was impressive on both sides of the football, and I think Brad Arthur will be desperate to see his men get back-to-back victories and become a more consistent outfit. I think the Bulldogs, as always, will tackle well and make the game competitive, however I think the Eels will prove too strong and gain their 9th win of the season by a try or more.