Just the one game on Super Saturday, with the bye affected round 17 seeing only 4 matches this round. Today, we see the Tigers hosting the Eels at Leichhardt Oval. The Eels were horrible last week in a 30-12 loss to the Rabbitohs, but the Tigers have been horrible for several weeks, and another loss looks highly likely in this one. Still, there’s money to be made regardless, so let’s dive in and analyse the matchup.

Draftstars have a $10,000 contest for this Saturday night clash, as well as several other contests including the $2 Mini and 50c Micro to jump into.


Team News

A couple of changes for the Tigers, with Interim Coach Brett Kimmorley still settling on his best 17. Adam Doueihi returns to the starting line up in the centres, with James Roberts dropped from the squad. Prop James Tamou looks set to return, shifting Alex Seyfarth out of the 17 and into the reserves. Justin Matamua and Jacob Liddle join the bench, with Austin Dias named in the reserves.

For the Eels, Marata Niukore has been named at prop to replace the Origin bound Junior Paulo, with Ryan Matterson named to return at lock. Matterson is in doubt, with Nathan Brown a likely replacement should Matterson not play. No other changes expected for the Eels.

Betting Odds

Wests Tigers $4.00 vs Eels $1.25 - Bet now at Ladbrokes!

Overview

These two sides played in round 6 at CommBank Stadium, with the Tigers prevailing 21-20 in a massive upset. This looked like it could have been the start of a turnaround for the Tigers, with a follow up 1-point victory over the Rabbitohs, however their season has gone backwards since, losing 4 games in a row to sit 15th on the table.

The Eels have been hit and miss, going 5-5 in their last 10. They can look brilliant (see their wins over the Panthers, Storm and Roosters) and then God awful (see their losses to the Tigers, Cowboys and Bulldogs), so they are difficult to get a read on.

Despite this, I see a big victory for the Eels on Saturday. The Tigers have been deplorable since Kimmorley has come in as Head Coach, and the Eels are desperate for a win to stay within touching distance of the top 4. When they’re on, they can rack up the points, and the Tigers appear a fractured club at the moment, and this could get ugly.

 

Love It – Mitch Moses - $20,350

Moses has been a little off of late, however this matchup should bear him big returns. The Tigers left edge defence is the worst in the competition, and this leads me to believe the Eels will target that side, with the likes of Moses, Papali’i, Penisini and Simonsson all likely to profit. Moses is known for dominating lower competition, and this is as low as it gets. A solid floor and a high ceiling, I expect a big game from the Eels’ number 7.

 

Love It – Fonua Pole - $10,210

Debuted last week for a very solid 41 points, this kid doesn’t mind rolling the sleeves up and getting through the work. Is very meat and potatoes so don’t expect a huge score or attacking stats, however for near bottom dollar he’s a great purchase. If his minutes stay solid, pencil him in for a 35+ with a minimum of fuss.

 

Love It – Shaun Lane - $17,010

Lane has really turned into Mr Consistent over the past couple of months, and his price is still not indicative of this. Can pick him up for between mid-price and elite level and know you’re getting 50-65 points, with a high upside. Lane knows his way to the try line and has only scored 2 tries all year and hasn’t scored in the past 8 weeks. It seems he’s due, and what better team to come up against when you’re due a meat pie or two.

 

Hate It – Dylan Brown - $17,180

Brown is obviously capable, but I prefer Moses in the halves this week for the reasons listed above. Brown has had some massive games this year, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that both Moses and Brown can go large this week. I just prefer Moses. Added to this, Brown has looked a little off over the past few weeks and I don’t trust his form to return here.

 

Hate It – Ryan Matterson - $21,240

Matterson is once again in doubt with a rib cartilage injury, however if he does play, I don’t see him as a purchase this week. Rib injuries are notoriously painful, and as a result Matterson’s minutes and involvement could drop. Prefer Papali’i and Ofahengaue at the price point if you’re after an elite forward.

 

Who Knows – Adam Doueihi - $15,130

Doueihi is very tempting this week. His price has once again dropped, and he’s been named to start in the centres, where he has been tremendous in the past. However, there is the narrative doing the rounds that Doueihi is not happy being picked in the centres and would much prefer to be playing in the halves. If he gets the early ball he deserves, he could do anything, however with Hastings in charge inside him, he may not get that ball he craves.


Draftstars Suggested Team

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