The two surprise packets of 2014 clash in an Easter Monday blockbuster.
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ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Monday 4pm
Last meeting: Eels 26 bt Wests Tigers 22 at Pirtek Stadium (round 22, 2013).
Head-to-head: Parramatta 16, Wests Tigers 11, drawn 1
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Grant Atkins
TV: Live, FoxSports 1
Ladbrokes: Eels $1.48, Tigers $2.65
Betfair: Eels $1.51, Tigers $2.92
Michael Chammas's preview: If Robbie Farah were playing, I would be tempted to pick the Tigers, but the hole he leaves will be too big to fill this week. The Eels are playing sublime football at the moment and, on the back of Nathan Peats and Jarryd Hayne, could bring the Tigers crashing back down to earth.
Tip: Eels by 10
AAP preview: Here is confirmation that it is indeed a funny old game. Last year’s worst two sides will line up in what looms as the match of the round. Hell didn’t freeze over and pigs didn’t fly but wooden spooners for the past two seasons Parramatta did down defending champions the Roosters last round. Yet the third-placed Wests Tigers will go close to being the 2014 surprise packet. Even without Braith Anasta and James Tedesco, they monstered North Queensland last round. Of course, they miss the inspirational Robbie Farah (elbow) but winning is a habit and the rejuvenated Wests Tigers don’t look like losing it against an Eels outfit who have lost their past 13 games at ANZ Stadium going back to mid-2010.
Key: Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods. No one can replace Farah - arguably the NRL’s top player of the first six rounds - but the Tigers look set not to miss a beat thanks to the bruising forward who right now would be first picked for the NSW Origin side.
EELS: Jarryd Hayne (capt), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (capt), Nathan Peats, Darcy Lussick, Kenny Edwards, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Fuifui Moimoi, Mitch Allgood, David Gower, Pauli Pauli.
TIGERS: Kurtis Rowe, David Nofoaluma, Tim Simona, Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Braith Anasta (capt), Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Joel Luani, Keith Galloway, Sitaleki Akauola, Bodene Thompson, Adam Blair. Interchange: Martin Taupau, Ava Seumanufagai, James Gavet, Blake Austin
Good afternoon and welcome to our live Easter Monday coverage of Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers.
Shane Brady here with you for an unexpected blockbuster between two teams from the west enjoying much better seasons than last year.
We'll see who can join what will be a four-way logjam at the top of the ladder with the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Titans for a couple of hours at least, should the surprise packets from the Gold Coast beat Penrith tonight to stay on top of the ladder.
A big crowd in at ANZ Stadium and perfect conditions for fast, flowing football to cap off the Easter long weekend. Not long now 'til kick-off.
Everyone, including the bookies, are tipping the Eels to be too good for the Tigers without two of their stars, Robbie Farah and James Tedesco.
So I'm going to stick my contrarian neck out and go for the Tigers by one.