Knights v Eels: Pearce returns to face desperate Eels

Key match up: Mitchell Pearce v Mitchell Moses. Nathan Brown knew his team was in trouble when his star halfback limped off with a pectoral injury in round seven against the Tigers. Victories have been hard to come by since, but expect the hosts to be pumped up with the return of their prized off-season recruit. Moses has endured a tough year, but the playmaker always competes until the final whistle.

For the Knights to win: Give Connor Watson as many touches of the Steeden as possible. After an inconsistent start to his career in the Hunter, the past few weeks the pivot has displayed his class. Also look for Danny Levi to carve up the Eels' middle from dummy half.

For the Eels to win: Their under-fire forward pack must follow the lead of Nathan Brown. The lock never takes a backward step on the field, but he needs some support. Look for Daniel Alvaro to continue his encouraging recent form.

Knights stat attack: Despite sitting in 12th spot on the ladder, Newcastle boast the best set completion rate (80 percent) in the competition. Winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall has chalked up the most intercepts (3).

Eels stat attack: Given where they sit on the ladder, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Brad Arthur's men have made the most tackles in the league (5638). Prop Daniel Alvaro has been an ironman without the ball in hand, making 640 tackles.

And another thing: Long-term Knights fans don't mind facing the Eels - overall they won seven more head-to-head games than Parramatta stretching back to 1988. One of those victories happens to be the 2001 grand final, where Andrew Johns engineered a second premiership for the club.

Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels, Friday 7.55pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1 Nicholas Meaney, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Josh King, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Mitch Barnett, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange: 14 Nathan Ross, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Jacob Lillyman 

Newcastle will start the match 1-17 after Sam Stone and JJ Felise were left out an hour out from kick-off. The Knights have named halfback Mitchell Pearce to return from a pec injury. Nick Meaney debuts at fullback for Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Danny Levi starts at hooker for Slade Griffin (knee) with Nathan Ross coming onto the bench. Daniel Saifiti (foot) returns in the front row pushing Herman Ese'ese to lock, Aidan Guerra to second row and Sam Stone to the reserves. Luke Yates and Jack Cogger were dropped from the squad 24 hours out from game time.

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Tepai Moeroa, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo

The Eels will start 1-17 after Kane Evans and Kaysa Pritchard were left out an hour before game time. Tepai Moeroa (suspension) returns on the bench for Will Smith in Parramatta's only change. Kirisome Auva'a and Jaeman Salmon were left out 24 hours out from game time.

Head-to-head: Played 50; Knights 28 wins, Eels 21, 1 draw
Previous result: Knights won 30-4 at ANZ Stadium in round 13
Points per game: Knights 17.6; Eels 14.8
Points conceded per game: Knights 26.8; Eels 23.4
Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League

Petero Civoniceva's prediction: Both teams are playing for pride, but I think the return of Mitchell Pearce will be the catalyst behind a Newcastle win at home. The Eels just don't seem to know how to win at the moment, losing has become almost a weekly habit. 

TIP: Knights by 6