Both these teams were finals spectators last year, but while the Bulldogs are in the same boat this season, Parramatta are preparing for the play-offs.
The Eels made it four straight wins with last week's defeat of the Titans and Brad Arthur would be encouraged by the improved defence over the past three weeks which has conceded just 10 points per game.
A top-four spot remains within reach if they want it badly enough.
The Bulldogs have won five of their past seven games and proved they have to be taken seriously in the final three rounds. Their battles with the Eels are traditionally fiery affairs and Thursday's clash might be closer than expected.
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Junior Paulo is back on deck after missing the Titans game with a rolled ankle so Daniel Alvaro shifts to the bench. In a late change an hour before kick-off Peni Terepo drops off the bench and his place is taken by Tepai Moeroa. George Jennings and Stefano Utoikamanu were the two players omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Jaeman Salmon and Terepo were the last two men cut an hour before game time.
Bulldogs: Winning form is good form so Dean Pay has stuck with the same 17 which got the job done last week. Having upset the Knights, Panthers, Wests Tigers and Souths during the past six weeks, the Bulldogs will be keen to play spoiler for another finals-bound opponent. Morgan Harper and Ofahiki Ogden were cut from the reserves list on Wednesday and Danny Fualalo and Michael Lichaa were the last two cut an hour before kick-off.
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will Hopoate
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Brad TakairangiWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis Smith
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Kane EvansProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Manu Ma'u2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 David GowerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jack Cogger
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Daniel AlvaroInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Smith
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitch Moses has copped his share of criticism over the years but he has the Eels humming along nicely and appears to be enjoying his partnership with five-eighth Dylan Brown. Dogs duo Kieran Foran and Lachlan Lewis have a tough task on their hands against Parra's halves.
For the Eels to win
Most people expected them to struggle in the absence of injured winger Blake Ferguson but the Eels have won four in a row. Mitch Moses needs to stay sharp and keep playing at a high level, while the forwards can't afford to take the night off against the likes of experienced campaigners Dylan Napa, Aiden Tolman and Josh Jackson.
For the Bulldogs to win
They need to get away to a good start and push the Eels out of their comfort zone by making them play catch-up. Defensive-minded Lachlan Lewis and Josh Jackson have to stay in Moses' face all night and force the less experienced Brown to handle more of the playmaking responsibilities.
Brett Kimmorley says
The form of both sides over the last month sets up a great clash. It is another opportunity for Canterbury to be a nuisance for a team that has everything to play for. I think Mitchell Moses showed us again last week that his game management in 2019 is at a whole new level. I look forward to this clash. In the old days these clubs had some great clashes, hopefully this is another one. Eels by 6
Stat Attack
Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 16 tries to be second in the NRL, while Mitch Moses leads the competition in try assists (24), kicks (291) and kick metres (8,111). Parra hooker Reed Mahoney is second in tackles made (1,013) behind Cameron McInnes (1,032).
And another thing ...
The Bulldogs won't have forgotten what happened when they met the Eels in round two. Leading 10-0 after 15 minutes, the Doggies didn't score again until the 63rd minute, as Parra scored six unanswered tries for a 36-16 victory. Blake Ferguson and Clint Gutherson crossed for two tries apiece, while Moses kicked 6/6 conversions.
