NRL Round 21 Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels Preview

It is a very weird occurrence this weekend at the Broncos throw everyone off guard and are drawn away from their normal Friday Night Footy schedule to a Monday night fixture. Fans will be hoping that they are not affected by the change but they will be facing an Eels team that apart from being in all sorts and at the bottom of the table, can see some light at the end of the tunnel after the signing of Ricky Stuart for the next 3 years. Back to the Broncos though, every other team deserves to complain about the unfair advantage that Brisbane have over the rest of the competition. You can spend a long time focusing on the Broncos and how they are continually given an advantage but hopefully the independent commission can use their position of power and take the right of choice away from the commercial broadcaster. Back to the footy though, this can be somewhat of a danger game for the Broncos if they do not treat the Eels with some form of respect. Parramatta players will now be warned that some of them are playing for their futures and things will become desperate. Throw in the fact that they're also missing a few players and the younger players of the squad will be wanted to leave their mark on the incoming coaching staff. The Broncos also have a mounting injury toll that they would want to reduce as their run into the finals draw closer. Momentum is everything at this point of the season and games that should be won easily become even more important. If not, a crucial two points could go begging and a place in the Top 4 could be lost. Monday Night Football can always deliver a great game and there should be a good crowd on hand to watch this one at Suncorp stadium.

Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos have their fair share of injuries and suspensions this weekend which has thrown a bit of chaos into a team which has been stable for majority of the season. Josh Hoffman has copped a two game suspension and his place at fullback is taken by Luke Capewell who has been to a whole host of clubs. Justin Hodges has also been ruled out with a calf injury and as a result Gerard Beale has shift from the wing to the centres, with Aaron Whitchurch the new inclusion on the wing. At least the Broncos still have some consistency in the forwards. Josh McGuire is demoted back to the bench and Ben Hannant promoted back to the starting side since SOO 3. Coach Anthony Griffin made now mistake in hiding that this decision was a very tough one to make as McGuire has been unbelievable in leading from the front this season. There is news floating around that Corey Parker is out of this clash and his place will be taken by Ben Te'o who was not named in the initial side due to having to face the judiciary, and somehow was lucky enough to get off. There will be a few changes to the final side and all will be posted for punters on my twitter feed once the information comes to hand. The Broncos will definitely want to return to the winning ranks after a tough loss to the Titans last Friday night away from home. As mentioned above, a win here is everything at this point of the season.

Parramatta Eels

The Eels now have a job cut out for them. After a good win last week against the Storm they were now level with the Panthers until they came out the next day and beat the Roosters. They were two points ahead but after a Saturday night win over the Sharks, the Eels are firmly at the bottom, 4 points away from 15th place. It is very dangerous wooden spoon territory and they do deserve it for their level of play, but they will be hoping they don't given the departure of club legends Hindmarks and Burt. There is a few changes to the team this weekend which can only work as a positive but they are again missing Jarryd Hayne who made a late return last week, only to re-injure himself and now ruled out for the remainder of the season. Therefore Jake Mullaney retains his spot at fullback. Willie Tonga is ruled out and Cheyse Blair returns from a sting in NSW Cup. Ben Roberts is named to start at 5/8 and Joseph Paulo is back to the bench. A good sign though, the forward pack remains the same, along with the extended bench that is now named. So with all factors considered and a lot to play for with the Parramatta player, how will they react?

Recent History

Overall = Broncos 27 - Drawn 1 - Eels 16
Last 5 games = Broncos 3 - Eels 2
At Suncorp Stadium = Broncos 8 - Eels 4

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Broncos $1.30 Eels $3.60

Centrebet = Broncos $1.28 Eels $3.85

Sportsbet = Broncos $1.30 Eels $3.65

Betfair = Broncos $1.27 Betfair $3.85

Verdict

The Eels are very hard to back here, despite their victory over the Storm. But they were at the most vulnerable and the hosts took full advantage of it. Even though they have a few players missing, the Broncos should still be too strong. They still do have the class and quality of players to get them over the line. They will be looking to build momentum heading into their final 5 games and a win against the lowest team in the competition should be a walk in the park. Monday Night Football does produce strange things and some great games, but this should break that trend.

Suggested Bet
Broncos @ $1.30 (with TAB Sportsbet or Sportsbet)


A walk in the Lang Park = Broncos 13+ @ $2.20 - Still some value offered on this option but there is news surfacing that there could be a go for the Eels with the start. Put things into perspective and take the Broncos with a good home record and good form over the season.


Trying out wide = Alex Glenn First ($13) and/or Last ($11) Try scorer - He has made the move out wide in recent weeks after Jack Reed broke his leg. He was always a danger when in the middle of the field and playing out wide should be no different. If you want more value, go him into the margin.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips