Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 20 clash between the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Date: Sunday July 16, 6:15pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Waqa Blake 21. Matt Doorey 22. Haze Dunster 23. Isaac Lumelume
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Erin Clark 17. Jojo Fifita 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick 20. Keano Kini 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Ken Maumalo 23. Tony Francis 24. Thomas Mikaele
Referee: Chris Butler
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Eels and Titans were on the receiving end of losses last week and will be keen to bounce back. For the Eels, a win solidifies their spot in the top eight as they begin the season’s final stretch. Meanwhile, the Titans will need to win, or they will start to lose touching distance with a finals appearance in 2023.
The Eels were on the back end of their first huge loss last week against the Warriors. Though they were missing their first-choice spine for the game, they would be disappointed with how their middle failed to deliver. It’s a game to put behind them. This week, they are just about at full strength, with the return of Origin reps Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
It wasn’t a huge loss for the Titans. In a tight encounter against the Dolphins, they went down in Golden Point. Though there is never a positive loss, it was a strong performance from a team missing a few troops. This week, their Origin reps AJ Brimson, David Fifita, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are back. However, they will be without Jaimin Jolliffe and Joe Stimson, who were both injured against the Dolphins.
For the Eels, it’s about building a run towards the season’s end. This is one of the rare times where they’ve been able to field just about a full-strength side this season. At their best, they’ve put plenty of teams to the sword. The last time they met the Titans, they could be said to have lost the game themselves with a plethora of errors leading to opposition points. They will be looking to minimize that and put in a stronger performance in the middle of the field, where they were particularly weak against the Warriors. Gutherson’s leadership will see a much-improved performance, with his presence possibly the most noted loss in last week’s game.
The Titans don’t have to change too much. They have been fairly consistent this season, though they are now on the back of a second straight loss. On paper, the Eels possibly have more class in the backs, however, the Titans more than match them upfront. The likes of Moeaki Fotuaika, Fa’asuameleaui, and Fifita will need to put in a performance against the Eels’ big forwards. The Eels have struggled on the backfoot this year, often preferring to get ahead early. If the Titans can make it tough for them, and get into a contest, they give themselves every opportunity of snatching the two points.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Eels 8, Titans 2
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 14 points.
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
