Rabbitohs vs Eels Prediction: 6/1 tip says the Eels edge it

Two of the NRL Premiership’s strugglers meet at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday when the South Sydney Rabbitohs face the Parramatta Eels (19:35 local, 10:35 BST).

Souths are coming off the back of a first win in 10, but even that was achieved by hanging on against the bottom-of-the-table Titans. My Rabbitohs vs Eels predictions will be expecting a real battle, and they are below with full team news and Betfred’s latest match odds.

Rabbitohs vs Eels Odds

The Eels are massive favourites with Betfred, with the oddsmakers putting them at 4/9 for the win in 80 minutes.

On the flip side, the Rabbitohs are 9/5, and it’s 18/1 for the draw.

Interestingly, Parramatta are only giving up a 5.5-point start in the regular two-way handicap field. They’re 5/6 in that scenario, with their hosts 20/21.

Team News

The Bunnies are close to giving Cody Walker a shirt as he returns from an ankle injury, with the half-back included in the 19-player squad named by head coach Wayne Bennett.

Lachlan Hubner is out this week, with his head injury against the Titans making him unavailable for this one. In comes Shaquai Mitchell for the first time this season.

The Eels name the same initial 17 which beat the Cowboys last weekend, which means Isaiah Longi is expected to miss out despite being named among the reserves. The full-back is recovering from a hand injury sustained against Canberra in mid-July.

Rugby League Odds

Eels by 1-5 @ 6/1

When it’s 16th versus 13th there is always plenty to consider, and given that the Rabbits were much improved last week this should be a tense one.

Parramatta haven’t been much to write home about for long spells of the 2025 season, and even their two wins in the last three games have come by a combined total of three points.

The Rabbitohs have scored 30 points only once this term, and that was in defeat to the Warriors, so expect this time be tight whichever way it goes.

And I just can’t trust the Bunnies enough to back them, regardless of them squeezing past the terrible Titans six days ago.

That’s why I find the 6/1 about a narrow Eels win more than appealing. It’s got to be a better shout than the 14.3% implied probability.

Under 22.5 First-Half Points @ 5/6

Again, there shouldn’t be much in this. And while the two defences are far from great, the attacks have been far from cohesive this season.

There will almost be a play-off edge to this one despite the lack of prospects for either club in the remainder of the campaign.

There is a real desire to end the year with a bit of hope and belief but a win for either side will have to be built on a real battle in the first half.

To that end, I’m taking the under on first-half points as two clubs lacking in confidence look to feel their way into a position of supremacy.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.