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Friday night sees the 2013 NRL ‘Battle for the Wooden Spoon’ between the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers.
The Eels have had a season to forget, but will look to get their first win in 10 matches. Here are 10 reasons the Eels will beat the Tigers:
1. Hayne’s back
The biggest news for all Parra fans is that co-captain Jarryd Hayne will return at fullback after eight weeks out suffering from a hamstring injury.
Hayne was the key man in the Eels last win which came against the Broncos in Round 9. The number one’s presence definitely adds an extra dimension to the team.
2. Farah’s out
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers will be without their captain Robbie Farah who dislocated a finger last weekend. Farah has been one of the Tigers best players this season, and the team’s determination and motivation will definitely suffer without him.
3. Tigers injury list grows
An ankle injury rules out Chris Lawrence who will need to undergo surgery. Prop Aaron Woods will be out for the rest of the season due to knee problems.
Lawrence and Woods add their names to an ever increasing list of injured players, already including Farah, Masada Iosefa, Joel Reddy and Tim Moltzen.
4. Benji Marshall
Wests Tigers talismanic five-eighth recently revealed his thoughts of the club and announced his intentions of leaving for rugby union. The way Benji treated his club can only hurt the already weak confidence of the Tigers.
5. Semi Radradra
Parramatta winger Semi Radradra has found some rare form for his club. The last two matches have seen Radradra cross the lie in each match. Ahead of the clash against the Tigers Radradra will definitely hope to continue his fine form.
6. Fuifui Moimoi
Even though the Eels lost, Fui looked extremely dangerous against the Sea Eagles last weekend. Expect the big Prop to step it up again against the Tigers.
7. Eels at home
Statistics show that the Eels are only slightly less awful when playing in Parramatta. All three wins this season have come at home, while they have conceded on average 14 less points at home.
8. If they can beat anyone, it’s the Tigers
With only six wins this season the Tigers are the second worst team in the comp this season. Neither the Eels or the Tigers have won any of their last four matches, and one of the two teams will need to step up on Friday night.
9. They are bound to win eventually
The Eels are not an awful side. They have some talented youngsters, have been unlucky and played against some great teams.
Ricky Stewart is a quality coach and is slowly changing things at Parramatta. It might be a slow rebuilding phase but the Eels are bound to win a match soon.
10. The bookies say they will win
It has been so long I cannot remember the last time the Eels were favourites to win a match. But SportsBet, at the time of writing, have Eels at $1.65 favourites to the Tigers $2.30.
It may be impossible for the Eels to make the finals, and even a miracle may be required to lose the wooden spoon, but Parramatta should at least be able to defeat the Tigers Friday night.
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