3 minute read
South Sydney Rabbitohs will continue to chase a place in finals when they take on Parramatta Eels on Thursday night.
Following a horror start to the season, the Rabbitohs looked more on course for the wooden spoon than a place in finals.
However four wins on the bounce has breathed new life into their season, and they have an outside chance of making finals.
They can be backed at 5.50 to make the top eight and have the players to do it. But the wins need to continue and next up is a trip to face the Eels.
Parramatta are on a four-game losing streak and have no chance of making the eight. Even so, there is pride on the line and the Eels will not be willing to roll over.
The Eels are also 3.30 to suffer most losses this season and will be keen to avoid the wooden spoon.
. What: Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs
. Where: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
. When: 19:50 (AEST), Thursday 4th July 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Parramatta Eels 2.00, South Sydney Rabbitohs 1.82
Eels on the slide
The Eels head into the game against Souths on a poor run of form, losing the last four matches on the bounce.
Not even the return of star playmaker Mitchell Moses has sparked them into life, and they are in danger of finishing bottom of the ladder.
Moses was on a high after guiding New South Wales to victory in Game 2 of State of Origin, but came back down to earth as the Eels lost 34-26 against Newcastle.
Parramatta need a response, but recent history is not on their side.
They have won just one game in the last eight games against the Rabbitohs and have not beaten them at CommBank Stadium since 2019.
With their pride on the line, the Eels will be doing all they can to pull off the win and can be backed at 3.60 to do it by 1-12 points.
They also have players that can hurt the Rabbitohs, including Blaize Talagi, who has scored a try in each of the last six games.
Fellow winger Maika Sivo is always a big threat, and is just two tries away from registering 100 in the NRL.
Rested Bunnies raring to go
South Sydney head into the match following a bye and will be hoping to carry on where they left off before the break.
A 16-point win over Parramatta kicked off a four-match winning streak that has taken them to within four points of the top eight.
They will be out to do the same to the Eels on Thursday night, and can be backed at 8.00 to win by 16-20 points.
Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray both came through State of Origin unscathed and will be able to take their place in the bunnies side.
They could also be boosted by the return of star prop Tevita Tatola, who has been struggling with a foot injury.
Try-scoring machine Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 14 games against the Eels and will be out to add to that tally at CommBank Stadium.
