NRL Round 26 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ ANZ Stadium

Parramatta Eels (4th) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (11th) @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Eels’ bandwagon will be in full cry when they look to wrap up a Top 4 position against a downtrodden South Sydney outfit at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Eels surged into the Top 4 with a stunning 54-32 victory over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in a wild game where the Eels showed their full array of attacking weapons. A win would secure an all-important double chance in a finals’ series where the Eels are suddenly looking like a major player. The Rabbitohs came crashing back to earth with a bang last week as the Storm routed them 64-6 in Melbourne. After 3-straight victories, the Rabbitohs were mystifyingly flat as the Storm scored an embarrassing amount  of long range tries in a performance that would have worried Michael Maguire heading into another long off-season for the Bunnies. 

History -Earlier this season the Eels beat the Rabbitohs at the same venue with a 22-16 triumph back in Round 12. That win made it 3 wins out of the past games for the Eels against Souths after that  Bunnies had won seven straight against the Eels between 2010 and 2014. . 
 
Parramatta Eels’ Scouting Report - The Eels are boosted by the return of one of their enforcers with Manu Ma’u back from suspension. Both Beau Scott and Kaysa Pritchard are named on the extended bench, however are still unlikely to be back from long term injuries. Tepai Moeroa and Frank Pritchard both suffered head knocks last week but are in contention to play.
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs have suffered a blow with halfback Adam Reynolds ruled out for their final match of the season. Kyle Turner and Aaron Gray are named but are under injury clouds. The only change at this stage is Dean Britt coming on to the bench for Zane Musgrave.
 
Verdict - Parramatta by 18-30 in a high scoring game 

Souths will lift after their horror show against Melbourne; however I still see this game being all one-way traffic with the Eels securing their Top 4 position. Parramatta will have a big home crowd behind them and, with so much on the line here, I can't see any chance they slip up again to lowly opposition as they did against the Knights a few weeks ago. Parramatta has all the motivation and far too many weapons for a Souths’ side likely to already be on holidays. I see the Eels winning this game by 20+ and heading into the finals with confidence and momentum.