Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has evaded premiership favouritism talk circling his side and moved to shift the pressure onto Friday night's opponents Penrith.
The Eels are widely tipped to finally break their 32-year premiership drought off the back of the club's perfect 4-0 start to the year.
Penrith's worst result this year so far has been a draw against the in-form Knights, with Ivan Cleary side just one point behind the ladder-leading Eels despite not having halfback Nathan Cleary for the past two weeks due to suspension.
It's cut out to be one of the more exciting battles between the two Western Sydney clubs in recent years, with the match-up of Mitchell Moses and Cleary being earmarked as an early Origin spot playoff.
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Arthur's side has been the talk of the competition since the NRL returned a fortnight ago, with a 28-point smashing of Brisbane followed by last week's brave win over Manly stamping their title credentials.
But he believes it's time people started talking about Parramatta's opponents on Friday, with Penrith set to welcome back Nathan Cleary.
"I know there's a fair bit of talk about us but they're [Penrith] flying under the radar a bit as well," Arthur said.
"If you want to look at it statistically, they're up there with a lot of the key stats and doing a really good job.
"They've beaten the Roosters, Newcastle are going well.. their form indicators are really strong.
"I think they're playing some good football, and they get their game controller [Cleary] back so their game management's going to be better."
Arthur further declared the premiership endorsements being aimed at his team weren't affecting the players mentally.
"We're still 16 rounds to go so there's a long way to go. Things can change within a week in our game,"
"The boys are in a really good place that that's not a concern to them, we're just focused on making sure we can repeat our attitude and our effort every week."
Adding further spice to the blockbuster battle is the fact it will be Eels forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard's first game against his former club.
Arthur admitted it'll give Campbell-Gillard some motivation but implored his aggressive front-rower to find a little bit extra.
"It's exciting for him and Waqa [Blake], who are playing their old club," Arthur said.
"That's not their mindset or their focus. I'm glad that they're excited and they've got a bit of emotion about playing football but that can only last for so long.
"Reg has been doing a really good job for us but there's a couple of things that he needs to get better for us this week and that's all he's worried about."
Meanwhile, Arthur played down talks surrounding his in-form halfback Moses' State of Origin chances, reminding there's still five months before Brad Fittler selects his Blues team.
But he acknowledged the match-up against incumbent NSW number seven offered the perfect sounding board for Moses' form.
"It's good, but he still hasn't hit his groove yet, Mitch. But that's not what's important for him right now it's about doing what the team needs him to do and he's doing that," Arthur said.
"He's putting his body in the line defensively, he's kicking well. There's still some rust and execution things that's we're going to get better at as a team but those will take time"
