South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels Verdict
The Rabbitohs have won 10 of the last 11 matches against the Eels and that stat can't be ignored despite the recent form of Souths. The Bunnies love this fixture and I'm taking them to come good again and cover a -9.5 line in a high-scoring game.
- Rabbitohs have won 10 of the last 11 meetings
- Rabbitohs have covered a -9.5 line in nine of those 10 wins
- Rabbitohs have seen Over 45.5 points in six of their last seven games
- Eels haven't won back-to-back games since Round 3
- Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 17 games vs Eels & has 22 tries in 16 games this season
- Tallyn Da Silva has scored a try in three of his last four away games when starting at hooker
- Rabbitohs have conceded 1+ try to an opposition hooker in four of their last six games
Rabbitohs vs Eels Head To Head
Souths have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning 10 of the last 11 - including a one-sided 32-12 win back in Round 17.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form - Rollercoaster Run
It's been a topsy-turvy season for the Rabbitohs and they've obviously been affected by the long-term injury to Latrell Mitchell.
Souths probably aren't a serious premiership contender without Latrell and come into this clash with a 4-6 record across their last 10 games.
The Bunnies have a solid +62 points differential, but are just two points ahead of the 10th-placed Sea Eagles coming into Round 23, so they need to win here in order to give themselves some breathing room in the race for a finals spot.
Wayne Bennett's side are coming off a 32-16 defeat to the in-form Sharks last week, while their last two wins have come by exactly two points against the Storm and Knights.
Parramatta Eels Form - Inconsistency Problems
Another tough season for the Eels and while they've been decimated by injuries, you've got to think Jason Ryles will come under some pressure if they don't have a strong start to next season.
In saying that, Parramatta continue to plug away and the effort is always there - but they don't have the quality for consistent week-to-week performances, which is why it isn't surprising to see they haven't won back-to-back games since Rounds 2 & 3.
After pushing Penrith the previous week, the Eels managed to edge out the embattled Tigers in a diabolical game last Sunday afternoon at CommBank, with Isaiah Iongi scoring a try in the final minutes to secure a 16-13 victory.
There was a total of 34 handling errors in the match, with Parramatta committing 19 of them and completing at just 63 per cent of sets.
Rabbitohs vs Eels Team News
The calvary is back for Souths, with Tallis Duncan, David Fifita and Cam Murray all returning to the starting side, pushing Latrell Siegwalt and John Radel to the reserves and Lachlan Hubner to the bench.
Luca Moretti returns from concussion for the Eels, while Dylan Walker has been rested. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta could make his NRL debut off the bench.