Having succumbed to the high-flying Panthers in round 13 the battling Bulldogs now confront Parramatta, who are coming off an impressive win over the Raiders and then a bye to recharge the batteries.
Interim Bulldogs coach Mick Potter will welcome back a couple of enforcers in Tevita Pangai jnr and Luke Thompson, two men who'll be primed to take the fight up to the much vaunted Eels pack.
The sides clashed twice in 2021 and both times it was the Eels coming up with resounding wins - 32-10 in round eight and 36-10 in round 15 - so Potter will be under no illusions as to the challenge confronting his men.
If the Bulldogs are to spring an upset much will rely on Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr, who combined for a couple of spectacular tries against the Panthers.
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The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Corey Waddell moves into the starting side an hour before kick-off with Raymond Faitala-Mariner going to the bench. Ava Seumanufagai dropped out on Sunday with a calf strain so Chris Patolo takes his place in the front row and Tevita Pangai jnr is added to the bench as he returns from a back injury.
Luke Thompson remains sidelined after being a late withdrawal from the Panthers game suffering from delayed concussion symptoms.
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes. Cult hero Maika Sivo has recovered from a knee reconstruction and will play his first NRL game since round 23 last year. Sivo's return sees Waqa Blake move to the centres and Tom Opacic drop out. Centre Will Penisini suffered a head knock in round 12 but is good to go. Origin reps Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard will all back up.
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Key match-up
Matt Burton v Dylan Brown: The former Panther did everything in his power to mastermind an upset against his old club in round 13, laying on two tries for Josh Addo-Carr with pinpoint kicks and scoring one himself in a classy display. Burton will need all that and more if the Bulldogs are to beat the Eels for the first time since round 23, 2019. In Dylan Brown he confronts a confidence player who is backing his own ability to take the line on and come up with match-turning moments. Both men have the skill to turn the game on its head with a flash of brilliance.
Stat Attack
Eels halves Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown have 24 try assists between them in 2022. Dogs pair Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan have come up with 10 try assists between them,
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