NRL Round 23 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights @ ANZ Stadium

Parramatta Eels (5th) v Newcastle Knights (16th) @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Eels will be looking to continue their wave of momentum when they host the resurgent Knights at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Eels have now won 4 in a row, including 8 of the past 11 games, after a comprehensive 20-4 win over rivals, the Bulldogs, at ANZ Stadium last week. The Eels, outside of the Melbourne Storm, are the form team of the competition at the moment and fans will be dreaming that this could be the year they break their 31-year Premiership drought, such is the confidence and style with which the team is playing. Newcastle are a team clearly on the improve after winning back-to-back games for the first time under Nathan Brown, with a thumping 26-10 win over the Warriors at home last week. The Knights remain in last position, however have clearly improved as a young side, and with reinforcements coming next year things are looking much brighter in Newcastle. 

History -  The Eels have triumphed in the past two meetings however previous to that Newcastle had won seven straight against the Eels. The Eels have a amazing record at their new home ground having won 9 from their past 10 games at ANZ Stadium. The Knights have had less success at the venue with just one win from their past six visits. Amazingly The last time these two teams met each other at ANZ Stadium was the 2001 Grand Final where the Knights upset the heavily fancied Eels 30-24.  
 
Parramatta Eels’ Scouting Report - The Eels are strengthened further with Tepai Moeroa returning from injury into the starting back row. Bevan French has been named at fullback despite suffering an injury in the game last week. Mitchell Moses continued his outstanding recent form last week, setting up a couple of tries and being the dominant playmaker that the Eels were hoping for when they signed him. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - The Knights have been forced into a reshuffle with Nathan Ross expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious back injury. The dynamic Dane Gagai goes back to fullback as the Knights look to keep the roll going and make it 3 wins on the trot. Veteran winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall returns to the side on the wing after missing last week, with Joe Wardle slotting into the centres. 
 
Verdict - Parra by 16-26

Parramatta are on fire right now and I see them proving far too strong for the Knights here. One thing about the Eels, when they are up and about they usually get a huge following behind them, and this side is playing with rare confidence and momentum right now. Whilst the Knights have done well to win their past 2 games, it’s a huge step in class to go from games against the struggling Dragons and the reeling Warriors to a primed and ready Eels’ side on the road. The Knights are yet to win on the road under Nathan Brown, and after a couple of big performances could be due for a flat one here on a 6-day turnaround on the road. The Eels would have scored far more than 20 points last week if it wasn't wet, so I see them scoring 30+ in this game and keep surging towards that Top 4.