Eels v Rabbitohs betting prediction, tips and odds; NRL Rd 21 preview

Rupert McIntosh
August 4, 2021
111 Views
NRL round 21: eels v Rabbitohs

Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs betting tips, prediction and odds update for their NRL round-21 clash at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, on Friday night. 

This is the second match of a double-header at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night, with the Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons kicking off the action from 6pm.

The clash between the fourth-placed Parramatta and third-placed Souths has big repercussions for the top four, especially for the Eels, who have dropped three of their past four matches and are now level on points with the fifth-placed Roosters and sixth-placed Sea Eagles.

ALSO READ:
NRL round 21 title odds update, schedule
Roosters v Panthers betting tips, preview

The Eels are holding fourth courtesy of their points differential, but that’s academic unless coach Brad Arthur can get their misfiring attack working again.

Parramatta’s scoring woes

Parra have scored just 12, 26, 10 and 0 in their past four matches, but the return of star halfback Mitchell Moses from a back fracture suffered in Origin game three could be just the catalyst they need.

Moses trained strongly on Tuesday and was named to make his return. He will need to be at his best though, as Souths have been rampant of late, stringing together eights wins starting with their previous triumph against the Eels.

Those eight win have been by an average of 25.5 points and the Rabbitohs are further strengthened this week by the return from suspension of powerhouse second-rower Cameron Murray.

Souths have won their past three matches against the Eels, and remarkably have scored 38 points each time, including when they won their round-12 clash this season 38-20 at Stadium Australia.

The Bunnies will also regain prop Tevita Tatola (knee) but centre Campbell Graham and Liam Knight (both head knocks) are expected to be out for at least another week.

For Parramatta, forward pack leader Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin) is out for an unspecified amount of time and they will be sweating on getting him back into action as he is a workhorse in their pack.

Read on for our free Eels v Rabbitohs betting tips, predictions and odds analysis for their NRL round 21 clash from 8.05pm on Friday, August 6. 

Start:8.05pm AEST, August 6
Venue:Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Head-to-head odds:Parramatta ($3.25) v Souths ($1.36)
Line betting:Parramatta +9.5 ($2) v Souths -9.5 ($1.80)
Premiership odds: Parramatta $21; Souths $6.50

Eels v Rabbitohs tips

Our NRL betting expert has cast his eye over the odds for some Parra-Souths tips:

Eels +10.5 points/match total under 50.5 points at $3.25

We found this option at TopSport under popular markets and think it’s a good option. The Eels have been struggling to score but they have proved a great defensive side for much of the season. Winning the forward battle is their blueprint to get into this match plus they will enjoy having the kicking skills of Moses back to get them out of trouble.

Clinton Gutherson to score a try at $2.53

The Eels star is putting together another wonderful season and he scores in around two out of three matches, plus he has scored five tries in his past five matches against the Rabbitohs. He is the player they will look to most in trying to escape from this slump.

Eels v Rabbitohs prediction 6/8

The Eels will know what’s coming on Friday night. It’s no secret that the Bunnies’ default attacking play is to rapidly move the ball left, with fullback Latrell Mitchell joining the attacking line. The Eels will be braced for it but whether they can snuff it out often enough is the big question. Winning the forward battle would help, and that is their best chance of pushing the Bunnies. We think they’ll stand up here, especially with the experienced Moses back to steer the side around the park. The Rabbitohs are in a rich vein of form and will take some stopping but this one should be a tremendous scrap between two high-quality sides. Our final Eels v Rabbitohs prediction? Rabbitohs by 6 points. 

How can I watch the Eels v Rabbitohs NRL clash?

Free to air TV: Channel Nine; Subscription TV: Foxtel; Streaming/IPTV: Kayo

How can I bet on the Eels v Rabbitohs round 21, 2021 NRL game?

All of the best Australian bookmakers will offer markets on the NRL.

What time does the Eels v Rabbitohs game start?

The game starts at 8.05pm AEST, Friday, August 6, 2021.

MORE SPORTS BETTING TIPS

Author Rupert McIntosh