Big loss to Bulldogs hasn't haunted Eels

Running last on the ladder heading into the round 14 game, the Bulldogs defeated the Eels 34-4 to kickstart an impressive run of form that featured four wins from six starts.

The defeat was the most glaring example of the Eels' knack for losing winnable games, a trend that threatens to thwart their top-eight hopes on countback.

The Eels likely need to win two of their next three games to guarantee they will play finals, and with matches against Brisbane and Melbourne looming, can't afford a repeat of their last performance against Canterbury.

"The fortunate thing is everything is still in our control," Eels coach Brad Arthur said.

"We're not relying on anything else except coming to the game with our own strong performance and if we do that the result usually takes care of itself."

Arthur said the loss to the Bulldogs had not been discussed at training this week.

"We had to move on from it but, look, it was very disappointing," he said.

"I don't think I've had to say too much to the players this week about it and I haven't had to remind them.

"They know exactly what to expect. The Dogs have played some really good footy the last six or eight weeks."

South Sydney ran in 26 unanswered points to defeat the Eels last week, leaving Arthur to question Parramatta's commitment to muscling up in the middle of the park.

Prop forward Oregon Kaufusi said the middle forwards had bandied together to solve the issue.

"It's tough coming back after a loss like that but we were straight back into it. We're focusing on what we struggled with," he said.

"We thought we lacked a bit of intensity through the middle with our start."

The Bulldogs aren't expecting Parramatta to underestimate them twice in a season.

"They took us maybe a light be lightly but they won't make that same mistake twice," interim coach Mick Potter said.

"It's going to be harder than last time. I'm expecting a fierce contest.

"They'll be a better version than what they were last time when we played."

The Eels confirmed 24 hours before kick-off that halfback Mitch Moses had recovered from his finger injury and would line up.

"He does present a problem for us," Potter said.

"He's got a great kicking game and he's very quick. If he gets in any space, we're in massive trouble."

Forwards Luke Thompson (concussion) and Tevita Pangai Jr (personal leave) return for the Bulldogs and join the bench.

Australian Associated Press