The Raiders will be looking to make it five wins in a row when they host the Eels on Saturday night.
Match details
- Who: Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels
- When: Saturday 13 May, 7.35pm AEST
- Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Weather: Min 1, max 17. Chance of rain 5%
- Click here to buy tickets
- Head-to-head record: Played 63. Raiders 32 wins. Eels 31 wins.
Raiders and Eels team lists
The Raiders have made just the one change with Albert Hopoate returning on the wing in place of Xavier Savage.
The Eels have been dealt a massive blow with Mitchell Moses to miss this game due to concussion, with Jake Arthur named to replace him at halfback. Former Raider Josh Hodgson returns to Canberra for the first time since joining Parramatta.
Season so far
Raiders 9th | 187 points for | 224 points against | 5 wins & 4 losses | WWBWW
After a thrilling 34-30 victory over the Bulldogs in Magic Round, the Raiders have won four close matches in a row and now find themselves on equal points with 3rd place.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround after the 53-12 flogging they copped against Penrith at home in round 5, with Canberra undefeated since that embarrassing loss.
Canberra was unlucky to not win by more last week, with two pretty obvious tries ruled out, but then again, the Raiders like to make it as nerve-wracking as possible for their fans.
Corey Horsburgh’s move to lock has worked wonders for the club, with ‘Big Red’ in the best form of his career and now a chance of making the Queensland Origin squad. Matt Timoko has also been outstanding and is becoming one of the best strike centres in the NRL.
It’s hard to knock winning form and a win over the Eels would put the Raiders in a very god position as we approach the middle of the season.
Eels 13th | 246 points for | 214 points against | 4 wins & 6 losses | LWLWW
While last year’s grand finalists find themselves in a difficult spot sitting in the 13th, they’re still just four points outside the top four with plenty of time to go on a run.
Parramatta really haven’t been too far off the pace this year, having lost a number of close games to quality and they actually have the 5th best for and against of any side this year.
They dropped another close game to the Titans in Magic Round, with an early Clint Gutherson sin bin costing them two tries, while Moses missed three conversions.
The next three week’s heading into their bye are crucial for the Eels and they’ll be desperate for a win in Canberra.
Last 5 meetings and GIO Stadium history
- 2022 Semi Final: Eels 40 – 4 Raiders at CommBank Stadium
- 2022 round 12: Raiders 20 – 28 Eels at GIO Stadium
- 2021 round 19: Eels 10 – 12 Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium
- 2021 round 6: Raiders 10 – 35 Eels at GIO Stadium
- 2020 round 7: Eels 25 – 24 Raiders at Bankwest Stadium
Parramatta have a great recent record over Canberra, having won five of the last six encounters, including both matches last year.
The first clash was an entertaining contest in the nation’s capital, with former Raider Bailey Simonsson playing the game of his life against his old side to lead the Eels to victory. The second game was slightly different, with the Eels dominating Canberra from start to finish in the Semi Final.
Prior to Parramatta winning the last two meetings at GIO Stadium, the Raiders had won nine in a row against the Eels in Canberra. The Eels’ victory at GIO in 2021 was the first time they had won in the nation’s capital since 2006.
Pre match predictions
Quick Hands: Brendan Hands to get a linebreak assist and try assist. Raiders by 2.
Homecoming sting: Bailey Simonsson to get stung defending against Matt Timoko at centre, conceding a try and a linebreak to his opposite number. Raiders by 6. – Denholm Samaras
Have any predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
Other match details
Gates open 3.30pm
Jersey Flegg – Raiders v Eels: 3.40pm
NSW Cup – Raiders v Eels: 5.20pm
The match will be broadcast live on Fox League and is also available to stream on Kayo. Overseas fans can watch via Watch NRL.
You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix (Mix106.3 FM), Radio 2CC (1206 AM), ABC Grandstand (666 AM).
