Sydney Roosters can overcome 12 point Handicap to ease past Parramatta Eels

Sydney Roosters V Parramatta Eels Recommended bet:

Handicap – Sydney Roosters -12pts @ 1/1 (2.00) with bet365*

Many pundits and fans alike had expected the Eels to be in the frame for the Finals Series as an absolute minimum tin their pre-season forecasts, but instead they find themselves at the bottom of the ladder with one game remaining, requiring little short of a miracle to avoid the wooden spoon after what has been a disastrous campaign of underachievement.  

Last week’s 44-6 defeat away to a North Queensland Cowboys team who were level on points with them at the foot of the table going into the game just about summed up their season.

The Roosters aren’t exactly coming into the game in the best of form themselves, with them having gone down to a shock 22-8 defeat at home to the Brisbane Broncos at the Allianz Stadium last weekend.

It was the Chooks’ second loss in a row following a 14-12 reversal at the Canberra Raiders a week earlier and coach Trent Robinson will be desperate for them to go into the Finals Series with a top two finish and a win behind them.

The Eels end their campaign with another major reshuffle of personnel, with Jaemon Salmon dropping to the bench, Corey Norman moving to five-eighth, Jarryd Hayne moving to fullback, Bevan French recalled on the wing, Reed Mahoney starting at hooker and Cameron King dropping to the reserves. Brad Takairangi moves to starting second row, with Tepai Moeroa moving to lock and Peni Terepo dropping out. Tim Mannah starts at prop, with Kane Evans dropping to the bench.

The only change for the Roosters sees Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) returning to replace Dylan Napa (suspension) in the front row.

The match betting has the Eels at 4.50 with bet365*, with the Roosters at 1.26 with Unibet.  An unlikely draw can be backed at 30.00 with Palmer Bet.  The Roosters look better value with a Handicap of -12 at bet365*

* Odds correct at the time of writing