Titans v Eels preview

Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels
Cbus Super Stadium - Monday 7:00pm

Battle for the embarrassment cup heats up on the Gold Coast

Roll up, roll up; after a weekend full of matches with major consequences on the makeup of the top eight, take a trip to the Gold Coast on Monday night to see two sides fight to avoid the ignominy of rugby league's most-dreaded prize.

For the Gold Coast, there line-up doesn't reflect their recent run of losses; boasting a near full-strength side the Titans have been outscored 102-8 in their past three matches to plummet second last with the worst defence in the NRL. Having been humiliated by Brisbane last Friday night, the home side will be hoping that a 10 day turn-around will give them an advantage over the Eels. In a minor change, Daniel Mortimer comes onto the bench in place of Chad Redman, while Dave Taylor has been named in an extended squad after spending last week in Queensland Cup.

Three weeks ago the Eels looked set to make an unlikely charge towards the finals, but following back-to-back losses, injuries to Corey Norman, Anthony Watmough and Danny Wicks and the departure of Chris Sandow to Warrington, Parramatta find themselves needing to come away with a win on Monday if they hope to avoid their third wooden spoon in four season. Due to salary cap breaches, the Eels have been forced to retain the same squad that endured a 46-4 flogging at the hands of North Queensland on Monday. The Eels have struggled against the Titans in recent meetings managing just one win since 2012, while their Round 6 performance at Pirtek Stadium was arguably their worst of the season.

Last Meeting: Round 6, 2015 - Parramatta Eels 16 Gold Coast Titans 38

Who to watch: Crossing for a hat-trick against the Eels earlier in the season, James Roberts looms as the Titans best chance of scoring points in a side that has managed just one try in the month of July. With the Titans all but assured of missing the finals, Roberts will be looking to finish the year strongly in order to chase down Semi Radradra and Curtis Rona as the 2015 leading try-scorer.

In a side well-beaten last week, Reece Robinson showed moments of class returning from an injury that has seen him miss close to two months of football. While teammate Semi Radradra may be known as one of the fastest in the NRL, Robinson has shown on more than a few occasions that given an opportunity he can match it with the best of the best. In a match that may come down to goal-kicking, Robinson will be hoping to replicate his Round 1 performance to get the Eels over the line on Monday night.

The favourite: Despite enduring a shocking run since the end of Origin, the Titans have been backed to come away with the two points on the back of the extended preparation.

My tip: With a backline featuring three of the fastest players in the NRL plus Aidan Sezer back from injury, the Titans should come away with a win in a high-scoring but close encounter.

1. Josh Hoffman 2. David Mead 3. James Roberts 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Kevin Gordon 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Kane Elgey 8. Luke Douglas 9. Beau Falloon 10. Nate Myles 11. Ryan James 12. Lachlan Burr 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Agnatius Paasi 15. Eddy Pettybourne 16. Matt White 17. Daniel Mortimer 18. Dave Taylor 19. David Hala

1. Reece Robinson 2. Semi Radradra 3. William Hopoate 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Ryan Morgan 6. Joseph Paulo 7. Luke Kelly 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. David Gower
Interchange: 14. Pauli Pauli 15. Darcy Lussick 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Isaac De Gois 18. Cody Nelson

Referees: Henry Perenara, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Nick Morel; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Luke Phillips;

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