The battle to avoid the wooden spoon takes centre stage on Thursday night, with cellar-dwellers Parramatta the bookie's favourites to overcome the depleted Bulldogs.
The Eels have shown fight in recent weeks, going down by two points to both St George and Newcastle.
Parramatta's favourite son, Jarryd Hayne has found some well-timed form with the off-contract centre averaging a Parramatta high 3.9 tackle busts this season.
Canterbury has stayed competitive in recent weeks, even though they have gone down to both the Raiders and the Rabbitohs.
Their last-minute loss to the Raiders typified the season for the Doggies, and it's hard to see them putting up much of a fight in weeks to come.
Both teams have struggled in attack this season and with a per game point scoring average of 15.6 each, a low-scoring game is on the cards.
K Pritchard (Eels)
C King (Eels)
Fine and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Eels 14.8 / Bulldogs 16.4
Average points conceded: Eels 23.1 / Bulldogs 21.2
Parramatta have won 4 of their past 5 games against Canterbury
Key NRL Betting Stats
The Eels have failed to cover the line in 77% of their games this season: Bulldogs to cover the line (+2.5) @ $1.90
Bevan French has scored a try in his last 3 games against the Bulldogs: Anytime try scorer - Bevan French @ $2
Clashes at ANZ Stadium have averaged 34.8 total match points this season: Under match points line (37.5) @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: UNDER total match points line (37.5) @ $1.90
Reasoning: A win will go a long way to help both teams avoiding the wooden spoon, so expect this to be a tight battle with neither team giving an inch.
The last six games between these two clubs have gone 'under' total match points. The Bulldogs last six games at ANZ have resulted in 'under' total match points.
Both these stats point to a low scoring affair.
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Cronulla has found form in recent weeks and look to make it three in-a-row when they take on Canberra at home this week.
The combination of Matt Moylan, Chad Townsend and Valentine Holmes finally clicked in round 19 and will offer Sharks fans great hope in the run to the semi-finals.
The Raiders impressed in a dominant display over the Cowboys in the nation's capital last week. However, losing Jarrod Croker to injury is significant for the Raiders, who will be without their first choice goal kicker for some weeks.
Raiders fans beware, Andrew Fifita leads the comp in offloads with an impressive 57 this season.
Ricky Stuart has named the inexperienced Brad Abbey at fullback this week, and he'll need to be on high alert, with Sharks kickers forcing an average of 1.8 line dropouts per match (3rd in the NRL).
J Ramien (Sharks), B Abbey (Raiders)
K Capewell (Sharks), J Croker (Raiders)
Fine and 13 degrees.
Key Match-Up - Forward Packs
The Sharks forward pack has an edge on the Raiders, with a clear margin on average run metres, tackle busts and offloads per game. Both packs have great tackle efficiency, however, Canberra's forwards average fewer errors per game.
Average points scored per game: Sharks 19.8 / Raiders 24.9
Average points conceded per game: Sharks 17.3 / Raiders 21.3
The Sharks have won 3 of their past 4 against the Raiders
Key NRL Betting Stats
10 of the Sharks' 11 wins have been by a margin of 1-12: Sharks to win 1-12 @ $2.90
The Raiders have won only 17% of their games as underdogs this season: Sharks to win head-to-head @ $1.52
Clashes at Southern Cross Group Stadium have averaged 37 total match points:Under match line of 41.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Sharks to win by a margin of 1-12 @ $2.90
Reasoning: Look for the Sharks to control the tempo of the game, kicking for the sidelines early in the set to limit the involvement of both Canberra wingers.
Cronulla has a clear edge in the forwards, and while the Raiders have superior attack, the Sharks' strong defence will be difficult to penetrate.
The Raiders have shown an inability to close out tight games, while the Sharks have made a habit of it. Losing captain Jarrod Croker will prove too much for the Raiders with the Sharks coming out on top.
The Broncos were taught a rugby league lesson on home soil last week going down to the Warriors in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane couldn't find their way into the contest and were blown off the park in a defeat that puts their top-eight aspirations in jeopardy.
Penrith was heavily affected through the Origin period and consequently have only one win from their last four games.
But they welcome back a number of stars for this clash including NSW halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, who will look to control the game from the outset.
Brisbane has a great record at Suncorp against the Panthers, having won five of their last six encounters.
If the Broncos are to continue to hold the upper hand in this fixture, they'll need more from their halves. Kodi Nikorima hasn't produced a try assist since round 14 and Anthony Milford has only laid on five try assists since round 8.
The Panthers are a genuine premiership contender and a win this week at Suncorp is the perfect springboard for a tilt at the NRL title.
J Roberts (Broncos), T Pangai Junior, D Watene-Zelezniak (Panthers), J Mansour (Panthers), J Maloney (Panthers), N Cleary (Panthers), T Peachey (Panthers)
J Su'A (Broncos), D Fifita (Broncos), C Aekins (Panthers), T Phillips (Panthers), T May (Panthers), J Luai (Panthers), W Egan (Panthers)
Fine and 17 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Broncos 19.6 / Panthers 21.4
Average points conceded: Broncos 21.2 / Panthers 15.8
The home team has won 9 of the past 10 games between these two
Key NRL Betting Stats
The Panthers have a 67% record as the underdog this season: Panthers to win head-to-head @ $1.95
In his return from injury, speedster Waqa Blake has scored a try in both games: Anytime try scorer Waqa Blake @ $2.80
Clashes at Suncorp Stadium have averaged 44.2 total match points: Over match line points (39.5) @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Panthers to win head-to-head @ $1.95
Reasoning: The Panthers are a strong defensive side which will make a difficult task even harder for the Brisbane halves. The Broncos attack has been plain, and they will struggle to score enough points against the Panthers to be competitive.
The Panthers welcome back a list of talent who are fresh and ready to fire. They are the best bet of the weekend and represent great value at the $1.95 quote.
Jul 19, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
