What a huge match this is! The withdrawal of Kieran Foran adds a completely different perspective to what was already an intriguing encounter. Our best wishes are extended to Kieran.

This Year

The Eels already have one win this year against the Dogs with a 20 – 6 score line in Round 3 at this very stadium. Although the Eels will no doubt will be buoyed by this victory, the opposition too will be confident as they do hold a 4 nil away record this year. That said, given that they play out of ANZ, this does feel like a home game to the Dogs.

Conversely, Parra’s home away from home could be an advantage also. Parra have a 3 – 1 away win record this year, and this would feel as though this is an ‘away’ game. The Eels home record this year is 2 and 2. Canterbury’s is 1 and 3.

As we look at the four quarters of the match, both teams are similar. However, the 20 to 40 min mark is where the Eels need to defend well. Canterbury have a performance ratio of 6wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in this time period. In contrast the Eels have a ratio 3 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws in the same time period.

Both teams have won 4 games when leading at half time. Interestingly, the Dogs have lost a game when leading at half time but also won a game when down at oranges.

Historical Data

Friday night’s clash against the traditional rivals, the Bulldogs, sees these two teams go head to head for the 160th time.

In the 159 games played the Dogs have a 75 to 59 lead with a 15 to 10 win ratio to the Doggies at ANZ. The last 10 games between the Eels and the Dogs isn’t good reading for Eels fans. The Dogs have a 8 – 2 win record for these last ten encounters.

Of course, the  dark years for the Eels (2011 to 2013) saw the Bulldogs rack up 5 straight victories. The results are far more evenly distributed since that time.

Last 10 matches:

Probably the main factor we can be certain about is that there is always something extra in an Eels vs Bulldogs clash. With so much at stake this week, it’s bound to be another classic encounter.

Go you Eels!

Stats courtesy of Champion Data. All these stats and more can be viewed on our match centre at http://mc.championdata.com/nrl/ including live game stats. Or download the Telstra Sportsfan app and/or Triple M NRL app.

– Colmac

Follow @championdatanrl

mc.championdata.com/nrl/

Apps: Telstra Sportsfan, Triple M NRL

Credit to the Parramatta Eels for images used.

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