Parramatta roll into their heavyweight clash with the wounded Roosters in good form and determined to keep nipping at the heels of unbeaten competition leaders Penrith.
The Eels comfortably accounted for the last-placed Bulldogs on Saturday with skipper Clint Gutherson, winger Maika Sivo and a rejuvenated Bryce Cartwright starring in the 32-10 romp.
Lock Nathan Brown limped off with a suspected hip injury to put a slight dampener on proceedings but that was balanced out by the successful return from concussion of back-rower Ryan Matterson.
In contrast, injury bit the already hobbled Roosters hard in their otherwise highlight-packed 38-4 thrashing of the Knights later that evening in Newcastle.
Veteran winger Brett Morris, who was standing in as captain in James Tedesco's absence, and prop Lindsay Collins both suffered ACL injuries.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The rundown
Team news
Eels: Nathan Brown (hip) is out of the Parramatta side, with Shaun Lane moving from the interchange to lock. Keegan Hipgrave comes onto the interchange bench and Wiremu Greig is the 18th man.
Junior Paulo has been restored as starting prop after a late switch with Oregon Kaufusi last week while centre Waqa Blake (calf) must wait at least one more week to make his comeback.
Joey Lussick and Jordan Rankin were omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off.
Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 27 tries in 26 games at Bankwest Stadium.
Roosters: Teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii is a chance of making his NRL debut after being named as 18th man. In a positional change announced an hour before kick-off, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves moves into the starting side with Siosiua Taukeiaho dropping back to the interchange bench.
Young Roosters forward Fletcher Baker is out of the 21-man squad after suffering an injury in the captain's run. The club has been granted an exemption by the NRL to replace him with Tuku Hau Tapuha, who has been assigned jersey No.24.
Lachlan Lam and Naufahu Whyte dropped off the extended bench on Thursday.
Roosters centre Joseph Manu will make his 100th NRL appearance.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Key match-up
Ryan Matterson v Angus Crichton: Two veteran back-rowers with an appetite for hard work and a talent for finding attacking stats.
Matterson made a very encouraging return from a five-game concussion-enforced absence, getting through 80 minutes unscathed, while Crichton monstered the Knights right edge and was duly rewarded with his second try of the season.
Stat attack
Parramatta haven't beaten the Roosters in almost five years, scoring no more than 18 points and twice conceding in excess of 40 their four-match losing streak against the Tricolours.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com