CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Parramatta Eels have yet to win from their first three games and it’s not about to get any easier.
They face the Panthers, who come off a bye, and that makes them awfully tough to beat on Thursday night.
Eels team:
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Matt Doorey 15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Toni Mataele 22. Haze Dunster.
Ryan Matterson gets his first start of the year after his controversial suspension from last season’s grand final. Jack Murchie (HIA) is out, with Matt Doorey sent to the bench. Talented rake Brendan Hands is also on the bench for his NRL debut with Jirah Momoisea dropping to the reserves
Panthers team:
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Zac Hosking 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Jack Cogger 22. Thomas Jenkins.
Just one change, with Scott Sorensen returning from a head knock to take his place on the bench. Matt Eisenhuth will now be 18th man.
PREDICTION.
While the Eels have looked good at times they have not found the complete 80 minutes game yet. With Clint Gutherson scoring two tries last week he is leading the way but others need to step up. To many mistakes for me from Mitchell Moses, and maybe the contract negotiations hanging over his head to sign a million dollar plus deal are a distraction. With Ryan Matterson back on deck this will help settle the side and they must be more patient.
Meanwhile the Panthers have found their grove again and will be hard to topple. They have stars right across the board, and in my opinion will be in the grand final comes the end of season. Brave to say this in Round 4,but that’s how good they are as a team.
I would back the Panthers to win this, minus 6.5 points, @$1.71,looks juicy, but if you want some excitement the Eels plus 11.5 points, @ $1.72 also looks good.
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