The Eels and Rabbitohs are both fighting for a top four finish in the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Here are five things you need to know about the Round 16 clash.
Top four fight
The Eels are firmly in the top four for the moment.
They’re sitting in third position with 24 points; four more than both the fourth (Roosters) and fifth (Raiders) placed teams.
The Rabbitohs are an outside chance of making the top four.
They’re currently in 7th position with 18 points.
Final five to the finals
With five games until the NRL finals, the top four will be secured in the next few Rounds.
The Eels have a chance at snatching the top position if they win all their final five games and will then secure a home semi final.
Stat attack
In the 32 games the Eels and Rabbitohs have played, the Blue and Gold have won 17 of them.
The home team also won their only meet last year.
The Eels have an 80 per cent win rate in this season compared to the Rabbitohs 57 per cent win rate.
Last time we met
The clash occurred in Round 12 of the 2019 season, with the Blue & Gold coming away 26-14 victors over the Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium.
The Eels turned their 14-2 half time lead into a 12 point victory with Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo and Josh Hoffman scoring for the Blue & Gold.
Team changes
There’s just one change to the Eels’ line-up with Andrew Davey replacing the suspended Marata Niukore on the bench.
For the Rabbitohs, Dane Gagai returns in place of Steven Marsters.
Alex Johnston is out due to head knock with Corey Allan on the wing, while Liam Knight returns on the bench for Kurt Dillon.
