The fourth-placed Eels have a difficult run-in to the finals with matches against the Roosters, South Sydney, Manly, Melbourne and Penrith still to come.

Their only opposition outside the eight is North Queensland in round 23, with Paulo saying this week's game in Mackay is the perfect chance to right some wrongs after the shock loss to the Raiders.

"(The loss) Definitely a tough one, we probably didn't play enough footy out of our own end of the field," he said.

"We didn't play too bad to actually lose the game, but I think certain key moments really let us down that we didn't capitalise on.

"We'd rather be known not just to be a team that's hard to beat, but we want to go into a game thinking that we are going to win.

"What better way to start the week then addressing it and staying on top of it."

Two points separate the Eels from the fifth-placed Roosters, who even amidst a growing injury ward, are chasing a spot in the top four.

With a tougher schedule looming, Paulo added no game was more important than this one.

"Everyone knows the importance of these next couple of weeks in terms of really cementing a spot in that top four," he said.

"We do know they're two points behind us, this week itself is more important than the others coming."

New Zealand international and Roosters bruiser Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will bring up 250 games in a milestone clash for the 32-year-old.

But the tantalising matchup on Thursday will be between Angus Crichton and Eels lock Isaiah Papali'i.

Papali'i told reporters on Monday regardless of injuries the Roosters will come out firing.

"They did pretty well with the injuries they were getting throughout that game (against Newcastle) and it shows no matter who's out on the field they're hard to beat," he said.

"There's no hiding that they're right behind us and this is a big game for both the sides."

Australian Associated Press