Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson says he won't need to oversell the historic significance of the rivalry with Manly, he believes the players already know just how important this game is to the Eels.

One of the longest and fiercest running rivalries in rugby league goes on the line at Brookvale Oval on Sunday with both clubs hunting just their fourth win of the year.

A victory provides back-to-back wins and some momentum for the long rep season ahead, whereas a loss puts finals aspirations into serious jeopardy.

The clubs' current ladder positions only fuel the intensity that exists when the westies clash with the `silvertails' from the beaches so Anderson knows he won't have to recall history to get his players motivated.

"I don't think it's missed on them that Parramatta and Manly have a long tradition and a long history of serious games," said Anderson.

"I think they may pretend to be aloof about the historical aspects of the games and the rivalries of the games but players are street savvy.

"I think they know what this week means."

Anderson's Eels have been rated significant outsiders to cause an upset at Brookie after the Sea Eagles finally broke their drought without Brett Stewart with a win over the Broncos in Brisbane last week.

Jamie Lyon's three-try heroics led Manly to a two-point victory, providing Anderson with reason to smile.

He coached Lyon for a season at St Helens and was impressed by his good friend's form but, more importantly, he knows it is better to face a Manly side after they've won, not lost.

"I didn't mind them winning last week, only that if they had got beaten they would have been completely desperate and wounded. Whereas now there's probably a smile on their face," he said.

"We know they're a tough opposition, but I think a wounded Manly would have been very, very difficult.

"They're defending premiers so they're no mugs, I know that, our players know that.

"But I feel really good about what we've done the past couple of weeks and the way we've prepared for Sunday."

Lyon remains Anderson's biggest concern in the Manly side, the star centre not only the competition's leading tryscorer but one of the most dangerous attacking players running around in the NRL.

However Anderson goes against the opinion that Lyon is playing his way into a NSW State of Origin jumper, he believes it is a certainty.

"I wouldn't have thought he is playing his way into the rep positions, he is the standout centre in the competition at the moment," said Anderson.

"I know Jamie well and I have always thought he is a brilliant player.

"We will do our best to limit what he does this week.

"He has always been a very talented player. Maybe because he is scoring tries it appears that he is playing better than he does every week in week out anyway."

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