Competition leaders Penrith have had a red circle around Friday night’s blockbuster NRL clash with Parramatta since round five in early June.
That was the last time the teams met and the only time the Panthers have tasted defeat this season, with the Eels getting up 16-10.
Veteran winger Josh Mansour said they wanted to square the ledger with the third-placed Eels in the battle of the west with finals looming.
“Every game is a challenge but coming up against Parramatta, they’re top four and they’re a side that we want to beat,” Mansour said on Monday.
“They are the only side who have beaten us this year so it does add a lot of fire to the belly and we definitely want to aim up and get a lot of confidence out of this game.”
Penrith have final round games against the lowly Cowboys and Bulldogs and while Mansour said they won’t be easing up, they see the Eels match as a taste of what’s to come in the finals.
“Definitely – they’re a top-four team with a lot of skill and experience so they will be aiming up,” the 30-year-old said.
While there are exciting match-ups across the sides, Mansour is relishing the contest with fellow veteran winger Blake Ferguson, who broke his try drought last round.
Mansour scored a try in their last meeting and said he planned to get “physical” again – but how much depended on Ferguson.
“Depends if he pisses me off like last time,” Mansour said.
“He’s got a bit of cheek in him so we’ll see how we go.
“That right edge for Parra have got a lot of skilful players like Waqa (Blake) and Ryan Matterson and Mitch Moses steering them around the park, it’s definitely going to pose a threat.
“Fergo is a big body so I’ve got to aim up.”
Mansour, who has played his NRL career at Penrith since making his debut in 2012, said winning the minor premiership would be special.
“Of course – it’s another piece of silverware we could put in the cabinet and would top off a remarkable season for us and hopefully then we can lift the main trophy.”
The Eels meanwhile have ruled out hooker Reed Mahoney for an indefinite period after injuring an AC joint in a shoulder in Sunday’s win over the Warriors.
Coach Brad Arthur has already indicated Ray Stone will fill in while 22-year-old Mahoney is sidelined.
