Eels vs Rabbitohs NRL Friday betting tips & odds – Round 22
| Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Betting Odds & Game Info | |
|---|---|
| Best odds | Eels $2.55 at BetOnline | Rabbitohs $1.53 at BetOnline |
| When | Friday, August 12 | 7:55pm AEST |
| Where | Commbank Stadium, Sydney |
| Last time they met | Rabbitohs 30-12 Eels (Rd 16, 2022) |
| Watch live | Nine, Fox Sports, Kayo |
Friday night football continues in Parramatta as the Eels host the high flying Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium. The Eels managed to take down a relatively full-strength Sea Eagles outfit at 4 Pines Park last weekend but are facing a different beast in the form of Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs.
Mitchell has been in incredible form since returning from a hamstring injury, putting the NRL on notice and stating, “I just love the pressure of this time of year”. That pressure for the Rabbitohs is pushing for a spot in the top four, in hopes of giving themselves a week’s grace in the finals. The Eels are also hoping for the same finishing position as the Rabbitohs, but it looks like only one of the two will make it there. Who will get this win to push on to the top four?
The history between these two clubs reflects a very evenly balanced contest, as the Rabbitohs have won only two more times than the Eels with one draw between them. Alarmingly for the Eels, they have lost the last five games against the Rabbitohs, and their narrowest margin for defeat has only been 14 points. The Eels are also without their halfback Mitch Moses, which will make this uphill battle even steeper. The Rabbitohs are clear favourites to win this match, and the $2.90 odds for a 13+ point victory looks an incredible bet.
It is no secret the Rabbitohs left edge attack is their strongest attacking area, and one of the best scoring edges in the NRL. What is concerning for the Eels is that right defensive edge is where they concede the most tries. There is value in the $3.10 price for Cody Walker to score at any time during the match, as he will spend most of the match probing at that right edge defence of the Eels and exploiting their defensive failures.
The man the Eels will struggle to contain most is Alex Johnston, who’s run of thirteen tries in six games for the Rabbitohs propelled him into the NRL’s top ten try scorers of all time. On six separate occasions this season, Johnston has scored two or more tries in the match, snaring three hat tricks along the way. Johnston has already scored a double this season against the Eels and looks set to score 2+ tries again on Friday at a price of $3.80 with BetOnline.
The Rabbitohs and Eels both find themselves in the top five point scoring sides in the NRL for this season. They each have the ability to score from almost anywhere on the field, an ability most teams in the NRL lack. CommBank Stadium is one of the best grounds in the NRL for scoring points due to the fast, dry conditions of the field. There is a prediction for rain on Friday, but with dry conditions predicted until Friday, this weather shouldn’t have a huge impact on the match. Look for this match to go above the 46.5 total points for the match at the price of $1.90.
Key matchup: Dylan Brown vs Cody Walker
The clash between these two five-eighths will be one to keep an eye one as one of the most explosive battles of this season to date. The return of Mitchell has without a doubt brought out the best in Walker, and short of losing his cool as he is prone to doing, he can have one of the greatest impacts on the game with his ball playing ability and running game.
For the Eels, Brown was an integral part of their win over the Sea Eagles, scoring a try, breaking the defensive line and a further three tackles, as well as leading his side with 39 tackles and having only two misses. Which ever of these two men steps up to the plate and produces their best on the evening will lead their club to a season defining win.
