Friday Night NRL concludes with the biggest rivalry in the league, as the Roosters host the Rabbitohs in a do-or-die clash for the home side. With a win, the Roosters will secure a place in the finals, however a loss will see them in deep trouble with the Dolphins breathing down their neck and set to play a depleted Raiders team on Sunday. Huge game!
Ben Bridge brings you his preview and NRL best bets for this match below and if you’re keen to play along, simply join Picklebet via this link!
Roosters vs Rabbitohs Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 27
Roosters a Win Away from the Top 8
The Roosters come into the final round of the season with a simple equation, win and you’re into the finals. Depending on the result of the Panthers v Dragons game, the Roosters could finish as high as 7th, however as mentioned previously, a loss puts the Roosters at risk of dropping out altogether.
Last week, the Roosters put together one of, if not the best performance of their season, as they destroyed the Storm in Melbourne 40-10. In a tale of two halves, the Storm led at half-time 10-0, but it was all the Roosters in the second half, running in seven unanswered tries, including four to Mark Nawaqanitawase, to easily account for the Storm. It was a dominant display all round, however it would have been the handling of the Roosters that made Head Coach Trent Robinson the most pleased, as the Roosters completed at 88% and made just five errors, well short of the 22 they made last week.
Aside from Nawaqanitawase, James Tedesco was also brilliant, scoring a try, setting up two others, and busting 9 tackles, whilst also getting a great contribution from Hugo Savala who set up a try and broke the line twice himself.
Rabbitohs Finishing with a Wet Sail
The Rabbitohs have had a nice little end to the season, winning three straight to climb off the bottom of the ladder to currently sit in 13th. Whilst they have nothing to play for in terms of finals football, the Rabbitohs could single handedly knock their greatest rivals out of the top 8 with a win on Friday night, and that is surely motivation enough for them to be up for this game.
Last week, the Rabbitohs had the bye, however in round 25 they hosted the Dragons on Thursday Night Football, in a game the bookies were struggling to split. It ended up being an easy Rabbitohs victory, romping home 40-0 to notch their biggest victory of the year. Completing at a staggering 95%, the Rabbitohs suffocated the life out of the Dragons, running for over 2200 metres, missing just 13 tackles, and making only five errors.
Individually, Jye Gray continued his tremendous form at the back, running for a staggering 350 metres, whilst Tallis Duncan continued his irresistible form in the centres, running for 219 metres, scoring a try, breaking the line once, setting up a try, and creating three-line breaks. It was a tremendous effort across the board, with a total of 10 Bunnies running for over 100 metres.
Roosters vs Rabbitohs Recent History
The Roosters have had the better of the Rabbitohs of late, winning four of the past six games, including the last two games at Allianz Stadium. However, this rivalry is such a storied one, that it often doesn’t matter where the teams are situated on the ladder, or how they are playing, they both bring it for these matchups. Given it is the final round of the regular season, there’s no way these teams are leaving anything on the field, especially the Bunnies.
The teams met earlier this season, back in round 5 at Accor Stadium, where the Roosters closed 2.5-point road favourites, with the total 49.5. After a back and forth opening 40 minutes, the Rabbitohs led 8-6 after a 35th minute Latrell Mitchell penalty goal got the Bunnies into the lead. The Roosters scored two tries inside 15 minutes of the second half to lead 14-8, however two late converted tries for the Rabbitohs got them home, 20-14. The Roosters’ discipline was horrible, completing at just 66%, making 16 errors and conceding 11 penalties.
Jye Gray was massive for the Rabbitohs, running for 257 metres and scoring a try, whilst James Tedesco was also solid, running for 240 metres, breaking the line once and busting 10 tackles. It could be another terrific fullback showdown this Friday night.
Rabbitohs to Give the Chooks a Real Fright
The Roosters opened up as 9.5-point favourites for this pivotal Friday night fixture, with money continuing to pour in on the Chooks since open, as they now sit as 12.5/13.5-point favourites. I have the Roosters sitting as a 13.5-point favourite, so I did see some value in the Roosters at open, however now at 12.5 it’s difficult to back them in. Whilst they easily have it in them to put the Rabbitohs to the sword, the Rabbitohs would love nothing more than ending the Roosters season. There’s also the chance that the Roosters get out to a decent lead, before resting some players which could allow the Bunnies back into the contest. So, despite not having a number advantage, I’ll take the Bunnies to keep this within two converted tries.
Looking towards the total, and it opened a high 51.5, before being bet up slightly to 52.5. Whilst my line is short of this (47.5), I can’t back the under here with the way the Roosters are playing. These teams are at the opposite ends of the spectrum, with the Roosters playing the most overs of any team in the competition, whilst the Rabbitohs have been the unders champions this season. Avoiding the total then, and we will back this one staying close.
Whilst there’s a chance at an upset here, the value is in margin betting if you believe, like I do, that this will be close. Roosters 1-12 is the bet for me.
Roosters 1-12
$3.50 (1 Unit)
Roosters vs Rabbitohs Player Prop Bet
AJ to Tie Irvine?
What a story line this is coming into the final game of the season. Alex Johnston has the chance to draw level with the legendary Ken Irvine on top of the try scorers list with a double here. Let’s back in the history.
Alex Johnston (2+ tries)
$4.70
Same Game Multi: Roosters vs Rabbitohs
Leg 1: Rabbitohs (+12.5) – See best bet. Bunnies to cover this spread.
Leg 2: A Johnston (2+ tries) – See above best prop bet.
Leg 3: D Tupou (1+ try) – Missed out last week despite the 40 points scored by the Roosters, rarely misses out twice in a row.
SGM Odds: $10.00 at Dabble
Roosters vs Rabbitohs Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday September 5th 2025
Location: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Time: 8:00pm AEST
Weather: Cloudy, 16 degrees
Odds: Roosters ($1.26) vs Rabbitohs ($3.90)
Line: Roosters -13.5
Points: 51.5
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Where to Watch Roosters vs Rabbitohs
Watch the Roosters vs Rabbitohs match on Channel 9, as well as live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
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