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Five Things - Eels v Knights, Round 21

Both the Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights will be equally as hungry to snare the two points on Saturday evening.

The Blue and Gold are looking to secure their top eight standing, and the Knights have lost their last five games are fighting to keep their season alive.

Eels are tipped as favourites, but it’s not going to be a walk in the park against the desperate Knights.

Here are five things you need to know about the clash.

Eels welcome Knights to fortress Bankwest Stadium

The Eels’ 6-1 winning record at Bankwest Stadium proves just how much they love welcoming other teams to play them at their new home ground.

The Blue and Gold always play well at home and Saturday is expected to be no different.

Crowd numbers are expected to be healthy, but it should be noted that Knights fans do travel so it shouldn’t just be a sea of Blue and Gold.

Past clashes

The Knights have had the upper hand over the Eels over the last decade, so it will be interesting to see what Eels team turns up in Round 21.

The Blue and Gold were out of sorts when they played the Knights in Newcastle in Round Seven.

They’ll be keen to make up for their lacklustre performance.

Out of the last eight clashes between the teams, Knights have won six to the Eels two victories.

Pointy end of the season

As everyone knows, this is the crucial part of the season as teams vie for one of eight finals positions.

The Knights must win to keep their finals hopes alive, or else they will have little chance of making the top eight.

The Eels are close to securing a finals berth.

A win will help them edge closer to make it mathematically impossible not to make the finals.

Best-case scenario for the Blue and Gold is they have a stellar final five games, and secure a home final.

Halves size up

While Mitchell Pearce helped the Blues to State of Origin victory, his form has been out of sorts for the Knights.

He sizes up against half Mitchell Moses, who on the other hand, has been consistently steering his team around the park in style.

Whichever half is on song, will likely affect which team

Team changes

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; this seems to be the mentality behind Brad Arthur’s team to take on the Knights.

The same Eels outfit that beat the Dragon’s last week will line up on Saturday.

For the Knights, James Gavet is out with a hamstring problem. It's believed Danny Levi will start at hooker, moving Connor Watson to the bench.

Acknowledgement of Country

Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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