The Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders are both coming off loses and will be hungry to return to the winner’s circle.
The first and fifth placed sides are considered genuine premiership contenders.
Here are five things you need to know about Saturday night’s clash at Bankwest Stadium.
Eels cling to top spot on NRL ladder
The Eels have sat on top of the leader board since Round Two, but a loss will likely see them slide down the ranks.
While it’s early days, a top four spot is paramount in a team’s premiership success.
The Raiders are currently sitting fifth.
Both teams will want to spend most of the season as close to the top four as possible.
Both sides looking to bounce back from losses
The Eels and Raiders suffered tough losses in Round Six and will be hungry to return to the winner’s circle.
While the Eels went down to arguably the benchmark of the competition, in the Roosters, they can take plenty of confidence from their performance.
The Raiders lost to a depleted Manly side, which managed to wrangle their way to victory.
If the Green Machine can’t get the two points, they’ll slide further down the top eight.
Bankwest Stadium an advantage for Eels?
The Eels know Bankwest Stadium better than any other team, but does it really affect the game's result?
The Raiders are up for a long trip from the Nation’s Capital and have had just one outing at the ground.
Will the familiarity of the ground give the Eels a slight edge?
The Blue and Gold have won five of their last six games at Bankwest.
Eels without Brown to second suspension for 2020
Nathan Brown will miss another two weeks after being hit with a careless high tackle charge.
Brown was found guilty of a grade-two high shot on Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley in the Eels game with them in Round Six.
The lock attempted to have the charge downgraded but was unsuccessful.
It’s his second two-week suspension this season.
Team changes
As mentioned previously, Nathan Brown is sidelined with a suspension and will miss two weeks.
Marata Niukore will start in the 13 jersey, with Daniel Alvaro coming onto the bench.
Alvaro is yet to play a first grade game this season.
Kane Evans is also out with a calf injury.
Canberra will field an unchanged team following their difficult 14 – 6 loss to the Sea Eagles last week.
