Friday’s NRL 2017 Round 26 match is between Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The opening kick is set to commence at 20:00 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium. The home team Parramatta Eels are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

When: 20:00 | Friday 01/09/2017

Where: ANZ Stadium

Preview:

The equation is simple for the Eels – win and secure a top-four position to cap a remarkable rise in 2017. Avoiding a trip to Melbourne in the first week of the finals is also a possibility. The stakes are considerably lower for Souths who, despite getting hammered last week by the Storm, haven’t been in terrible form during the back end of the season. Manu Ma’u returns to the Eels’ back row, while Zane Musgrove is suspended for the Rabbitohs.

Key: The Eels’ scoring power. They’ve racked up 82 points in two matches since a shock loss to Newcastle, Parramatta’s only slip up in their past nine outings.

Tip: Eels

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: Parramatta Eels at $1.16

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Will Smith at $10.00

More Info:

Last clash: Round 12, 2017 – Eels 22 bt Rabbitohs 16 at ANZ Stadium

Tab Sportsbet.com.au: Eels $1.20 Rabbitohs $4.50

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs +12.5

Teams:

Eels:

1. Will Smith 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Kirisome Auva’a 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Cameron King 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 14. David Gower 15. Kenny Edwards 16. Siosaia Vave 17. Suaia Matagi 18. Kaysa Pritchard 19. Josh Hoffman 20. Beau Scott 21. Frank Pritchard

Rabbitohs:

1. Bryson Goodwin 2. Campbell Graham 3. Aaron Gray 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Sam Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray 14. Robbie Farah 15. George Burgess 16. Kyle Turner 17. Dean Britt 18. Jason Clark 19. David Tyrrell 20. Siosifa Talakai 21. Luke Kelly

NRL News:

Penrith are confident veteran centre Dean Whare can fill the crucial fullback spot and help the club book a finals spot in Saturday’s must-win clash with Manly.

Whare will play his first NRL match since fracturing his jaw in early July after first-choice No.1 Dylan Edwards had been ruled out for three weeks with a knee injury.

“We’ve got full confidence that he’ll do the job. He’s excited – we’re all excited. It’s a big occasion and this is what you play footy for,” star forward Trent Merrin said on Wednesday.

“This is what you play footy for, these big games. It just goes to show the depth at this club that one goes out and we’ve got an international that comes in.”

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin also has the option of risking skipper Matt Moylan at fullback or five-eighth after naming him on Tuesday on an extended bench.

That decision could hinge on Thursday’s match between North Queensland and Brisbane, with a Cowboys loss likely to ensure the Panthers move onto the playoffs.

Penrith are equal on 30 points with the Sea Eagles and Cowboys, but have a plus-27 points-differential advantage over North Queensland.

A Cowboys win could force Griffin to gamble by playing his attacking ace in Moylan, who didn’t train in Wednesday’s field session.

“He hasn’t run yet so he has to do a bit of running and then they’ll make a call. But I suppose we’ll see what happens there,” stand-in captain Peter Wallace said.

“He didn’t train today, obviously. Having hammy issues before as well, you’ve got to be wary. If he’s right, he’d play, I’d say. But I’m sure he won’t if he doesn’t think he can get through the game.”

Merrin said there was enough time for Moylan to prove his fitness.

“Moyza’s doing everything he possibly can to put himself in that position but, at the end of the day, if he’s not 100 per cent, they won’t risk it,” he said.

“He’s still got a few days to get himself right for Saturday’s game.”

Winger Josh Mansour also failed to train but wasn’t believed to be in doubt.

“It’s a brutal season. He’s come back from a serious injury. It’s just monitoring his body, getting him right. He does do a lot of workload for us in the team,” Merrin said.

“The medical staff here are just really cautious of the individuals and the loads they’re maintaining. It’s just a rest day for ‘Sauce’.”