Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
10th October 0905hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Rabbitohs -6 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even money odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October
This semi final match will determine who moves forward in the NRL Finals this year to face Penrith in the Preliminary Finals round.
The Eels suffered a loss last weekend in the qualifying finals round and so this is their second bite of the cherry in the bracket.
They face a Rabbitohs side who will be full of confidence after having thumped Newcastle in their Finals elimination match last weekend.
Table of Contents
Parramatta Eels Preview – Eels now feeling the pressure
Parramatta Eels struggled for some consistency in the final stretch of the regular season of the NRL.
They took a W4 L3 record in their last seven there. It was enough to get them a top four finish though.
So that meant that they faced second-placed Melbourne Storm in the qualifying round of the Finals last weekend.
The Eels lost that 36-24 so went through to the semi finals against the Rabbitohs, while the Storm earned a rest for a week and went straight through to the preliminary finals.
So now there is extra work and extra pressure for the Eels as they face the Rabbitohs.
When they faced them in late August in the regular season, the Eels were kept off the scoreboard in a harrowing 0-38 defeat.
Inthe match outright for this high-pressure affair on Saturday, the Eels are the 7/4 underdogs* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
Of the eight teams who qualified for the finals, the Eels were the lowest scoring of them all.
They only averaged 19 points per league fixture across the course of the regular season and if they were to lose this, that is likely going to be their downfall.
In the last six meetings between the two teams, things are even in the head to head with three wins each.
None of the three wins that the Eels took in that sequence were by more than a 12 point-margin.
An Eels +6 handicap is at even money for this intriguing contest* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview – Rabbitohs confident of a semi-final place
The Rabbitohs had to come through a make or break elimination match last weekend in the finals to earn this place.
They earned that place comfortably with a 46-20 victory over the Newcastle Knights, having started the match as favourites.
That is a W6 L2 record from the Rabbitohs in their last eight fixtures now.
They have really cut loose as an attacking unit in their last couple of fixtures as well, posting a 60-8 win over the Roosters before tallying that 46 point-haul last week.
So they are a force to be reckoned with at the moment.
South Sydney are a big threat here for having done what they did to the Eels back in August.
The Rabbitohs -6 handicap option is at even money and that looks to be the preferable way to go for this fixture* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
The last two wins that the Rabbitohs have taken against Parramatta have been by margins of 18 and 38 points.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
South Sydney Rabbitohs finished the regular season with a W12 L8 record, which was three wins fewer than the Eels took in their campaign.
But again we have to go back to scoring threat as the Rabbitohs averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.
That’s way above the average that the Eels managed, so we just see the Rabbitohs getting on the front foot a lot more and doing most of the pressing.
They are justifiable 1/2 odds-on favourites for this match in NRL betting as far as we are concerned* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
A preliminary finals match aginas the minor premiers the Penrith Panthers awaits. Who takes the spot?
Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Advice
Last weekend’s game against the Melbourne Storm was really rough on the Eels. That is because they were on the back foot for so long.
They were pinned in during the second half and struggled for possession.
The amount of defensive work that they had to do, likely took something out of them.
We don’t see the Eels taking their season any further. They don’t look full to the brim with confidence.
Key Facts – Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Tip
- Parramatta Eels have lost their last two fixtures
- Parramatta Eels are W3 L3 in their last six against the Rabbitohs
- South Sydney Rabbitohs beat the Eels 38-0 in August
Impressively the Rabbitohs have amassed more than 100 points in their last two league fixtures and appear to be peaking at the perfect time.
They can get through this and are worth a look to cover the -6 handicap on them at evens* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
The other way to look at this for longer value is a Rabbitohs 1-12 winning margin at 21/10* (odds taken 00:23 GMT Wednesday, 7th October).
The best betting odds for Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Parramatta Eels to win: 7/4 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
South Sydney Rabbitohs to win: 1/2 at Bet365
