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Five Things - Tigers v Eels, Round 20

Plenty is on the line in Round 20 when the Eels take on the Tigers at Bankwest Stadium.

The Blue and Gold need the two points to secure a top four finish on the ladder, while the Tigers are keen to send off Club legends Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence on a winning note.

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

Eels final chance to secure top four finish

The Eels’ finals destiny is in their own hands.

They need a win to secure a top four finish and can’t rely on the Raiders losing to sure up their spot.

The Tigers will be playing with plenty of heart, as they send off two of the Club’s all time favourite sons.

Tigers farewell two Club legends

Club legends Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence will play their final game in Tigers colours after 14 and 15 seasons respectively.

Robbie Farah will present the pair with game balls, on what will be a sad day for fans and teammates.

Lawrence is hanging up the boots, while Benji is on the hunt for another team to play with in 2021.

The Club had plans to give the pair a Leichhardt Oval swansong, but it wasn’t to be.

Bankwest send-off

As mentioned, the game won’t be played at Leichhardt Oval and rather Bankwest Stadium.

The Parramatta hub is technically both the Eels’ and Tigers’ home ground.

The Blue and Gold, however, have shown in the past they love playing there, with their winning record hard to argue against.

Stats comparison

The Tigers haven’t beaten the Eels since 2018 and have struggled for consistent form this season.

The Eels have a 74% win rate this year, compared to the Tigers’ 37%.

Completion rates for the two teams are on par, as is tackling efficiency.

However the Tigers have conceded 200 points more than the Eels.

Team changes

Some late changes to the Eels' line-up with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jai Field out.

Daniel Alvaro will start at prop and Brad Takairangi at five-eighth.

Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane return to the starting side.

For the Wests Tigers Luke Brooks returns from suspension in the halves with Josh Reynolds out.

Tommy Talau replaces Joey Leilua at centre and Alex Twal returns from illness at lock with Matt Eisenhuth going to the bench and Tom Mikaele moving to prop for the injured Josh Aloiai.

Luke Garner will start in the back row with Sam McIntyre (head knock) out while Elijah Taylor, Shawn Blore and Michael Chee Kam have joined the bench with Russell Packer and Jacob Liddle dropping out.

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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