Eels V Titans Preview
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50471
LADDER position leading into this Friday night blockbuster is deceiving if you are looking for a help with your tip, as a couple of key ingredients have tilted this game to the 12th-placed Eels ahead of the third placed Titans.
Firstly, the game is at Parramatta Stadium. The Eels are decidedly better at home; the Titans cant buy victories away from their fortress on the Gold Coast.
Secondly, Titans co-captain and enforcer Luke Bailey is out with a wrist injury. Bull provides so much to the Titans, not least an average of 132 metres gained each time hes run out this season (and thats low thanks to his early exit last weekend).
In his place comes James Stosic, a competent prop but certainly not at Baileys level. Winger Jordan Atkins is also out with knee trouble, allowing former Eel Matt Petersen to come back against his old mates. Brenton Bowen, Michael Hodgson and Gavin Cooper have all come onto a bench that has six men.
For the home side the only major change is Chad Robinson, who comes into the side on the bench for Todd Lowrie. Mark Riddell has been named to start, as has Fuifui Moimoi; Matt Keating and Josh Cordoba revert to the bench although it wouldnt be a surprise to see Cordoba start.
The Eels are hurting following their loss to the Cowboys last weekend, while the Titans have won their past two against Cronulla and Canberra so they enter with some confidence.
Watch out Eels: Although the Titans prefer attacking to the right, where they have scored nine tries already this year, they have certainly noticed the weakness of the Eels on the opposite side.
The Eels have conceded 10 tries on the left side (which is right-side defence) and its no secret Eric Grothe can be lost when targeted. Expect Scott Prince and Matt Rogers to head left.
Watch out Titans: The Eels pack is ready to dominate the under-strength Titans forwards. While back-rowers Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello are in good form, they are by no means big units and the Eels are primed to attack in numbers.
So far they have notched 81 dominant tackles this season, helping them to control ruck speed, while the Titans have managed a paltry 29 dominant tackles.
Its important the Titans forwards try to run at spaces, not faces, to enable quicker play-the-balls.
Where it will be won: Discipline with ball in hand. The Eels really should win this game at home but theyll need to tidy up their error rate. They have made 61 errors this season, one of the poorest error rates in the competition, and need to hold on to the ball if they are to challenge the Gold Coast who have been more efficient.
Halfback Tim Smith is still out of sorts and will make poor decisions in attack, highlighting the need for the Eels to be extra-disciplined in ball control, to ensure he gets more chances to get things correct.
The History: Played 1; Eels 0, Titans 1. The two sides have only met once a but it wasnt at Parramatta Stadium. The Titans accounted for the Eels 38-12 last season at Gold Coast Stadium (Carrara).
But the Titans are an awful side playing away from home, having only won twice on the road in their short history; both of those games were last season.
Conclusion: Despite the ladder positions pointing to a Titans victory, this is a game the Eels really should win. They are at home and the Titans are without their inspirational leader.
They are yet to put together an 80-minute performance but after last weekends capitulation to the Cowboys, revenge could be on their mind. If so, it could get ugly.
If you fancy an upset, feel free to back it in here, but chances are youll just fall behind and be playing catch-up all weekend long.
Match officials: Referee Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials Michael Jones & Jeff Younis; Video ref Chris Ward.
Televised: Channel Nine Live 7.30pm (Qld), delayed 9.30pm (NSW); FoxSports Delayed 11.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
