Eels v Raiders preview

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With the Eels looking to make amends after a heartbreaking loss last weekend, and the Raiders on a high thanks to a strong win over the Bulldogs, this game looks set to be one of the best of the round.

Parramatta's defence has been an important factor in their recent string of wins, conceding only a couple of tries per game, however they'll have their hands full this weekend dealing with one of the more creative halves pairings in the NRL. The Eels continued this tradition of rock solid defence last round against the Panthers, right up until the final few minutes, when a couple of quick tries stole the game from their clutches.

The Eels will be boosted by the return of Nathan Peats from elbow injury, which pushes Isaac De Gois to the bench hooking role. Daniel Alvaro will replace the injured David Gower at prop, while Kaysa Pritchard will run out in the lower grades.

Attack has been a problem for the Eels so far this season, scoring an average of around 15 points per game, but the same can not be said for the Raiders, who have amassed almost 120 points in their five matches so far this season. Even more impressive is the fact that they've scored most of these points without the aid of their rising star halves pairing of Aiden Sezer and Blake Austin, both of whom will line up this afternoon.

Canberra's 22-8 win last weekend was largely off the back of the performance of their vastly underrated forward pack, who out muscled the more experienced, bigger and more highly rated Bulldogs forwards.

The Raiders have made just one change to their side, with Luke Bateman coming into the team, replacing Sia Soliola (fractured arm) on the interchange bench.

Last meeting: Round 26 2015 - Eels 24 Raiders 28

Who to watch: I think this will be a game that is won out wide. I expect both sides to bash themselves to a stand still in the middle of the field, but that the real action will take place out wide.

The Eels have an interesting balance of attack and defence, with defensive specialist Beau Scott's addition to the side this year tightening up a notoriously fragile Eels' defence on the edges. Lining up alongside blokes more well-known for their attack, like Semi Radradra, Kenny Edwards and Michael Jennings, Scott's purchase from the Knights has proved genius.

The Raiders boast attack in spades out wide, with powerhouses like BJ Leilua and Josh Papalii providing a foil for the creativity and flair of Jack Wighton, Sezer and Austin.

The favourite: The bookies have this one split - although most of the money looks to be going the way of the Eels.

My tip: I'm tipping this to be a close one, with the Raiders just coming out on top by 2 points.

1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clinton Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Peni Terepo 16. Danny Wicks 17. Ken Edwards

1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Paul Vaughan 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Frank Paul Nuuausala 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Luke Bateman 16. Shannon Boyd 17. Joseph Tapine

Referees: Adam Devcich, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Rohan Best; Video Referees: Ben Galea, Jason Robinson, Bernard Sutton;