Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction, Tips & Odds

Parramatta Eels host South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 17 of the 2026 NRL season at CommBank Stadium, Sydney on Thursday. Read on for our full match preview, betting tips, and best odds.

The Eels are searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 3, while the injury-hit Rabbitohs need to consolidate their standing in a tight Top 8 race.

FORM: The 5-9 Eels sit 14th on the ladder, following up plucky narrow losses to Newcastle and Canterbury with a 15-12 home victory over Parramatta in Round 15.

The 7-6 Rabbitohs stayed in the mix with the top-four hopeful by arresting a three-game slide in Round 15, pumping Brisbane 48-6 on the back of an Alex Johnston four-try haul.

INS AND OUTS: Mitch Moses is back on deck for Parramatta, pushing Joash Papalii to the interchange. Cameron Murray returns from Origin duty for Souths, but Latrell Mitchell has been sidelined for a month.

KEY MATCH-UP: Jack Williams has been a valuable contributor in a weakened Eels pack and will be looking to measure up to Rabbitohs enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi.

HISTORY: Souths have won nine of their last 10 against Parramatta, including a 20-16 result in Round 24 last year – the teams’ only 2025 clash.

KEY STAT: The Eels’ only win at CommBank Stadium over the Rabbitohs was in the initial 2019 encounter there.

VERDICT: There’s no question the Eels are showing the same sort of improvement – particularly on the defensive end – that characterised their late-2025 efforts. But this has been a seriously fruitful match-up for the Rabbitohs, who clicked into gear in their last start against the Broncos.

Amid a relatively difficult draw so far and some injury problems, Souths should be too strong with their star-studded pack giving this a distinct mismatch feel.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs to Cover the Line (-5.5) @ $1.90

SGM: RABBITOHS WIN / OVER 48.5 POINTS / DAVID FIFITA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ALEX JOHNSTON & JOSH ADDO-CARR TO HAVE 2+ TRIES COMBINED @ $8.57