<p>If the Sydney Roosters are to guarantee themselves a top eight spot, they will need to avoid defeat against the South Sydney Rabbitohs when they meet at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>Finals footy beckons for the Roosters after their 40-10 dismantling of the Storm last week, and a win, or a Dolphins loss, will seal their ninth consecutive finals appearance.</p> <p>The Rabbitohs would love nothing more than to knock their biggest rivals out of the eight and may be confident given they triumphed 20-14 when these sides met back in Round 5.</p> <p>Furthermore, Souths have won three straight heading into this clash. They have also named Cameron Murray on the bench for his first game of 2025 after an Achilles rupture in the preseason.</p> <p>Jack Wighton is also back in the side after serving his suspension. Sam Walker is back from his concussion for the Roosters in their only change, which means Sandon Smith drops to the reserves.</p> <p>Check out our Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs match preview for plenty of betting tips and predictions across a host of markets. From H2H to anytime try scorer and everything in between.&nbsp;</p> <p>Looking for all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this crucial clash between old foes? Check out our Roosters vs Rabbitohs prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Roosters vs Rabbitohs Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Friday’s headline fixture between the Roosters and Rabbitohs is packed full of plotlines and is arguably the must-watch match of NRL round 27.</p> <p>After their remarkable 40-10 victory last start against the Storm in Melbourne, the equation for the Roosters is simple: win and they play finals.</p> <p>We’re sure South Sydney would love nothing more than to ensure their arch-rivals join them in missing out on finals footy and it looks as if their captain <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/cam-murray-eyes-return-against-roosters">Cameron Murray is set to make his first appearance of the season</a> in an effort to make that happen.</p> <p>The other reason Murray is most likely pushing for a final round return despite the Rabbitohs race being well and truly run in 2025, is to be there in case his great mate<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/alex-johnston-closing-in-on-nrl-try-scoring-record"> Alex Johnston breaks the all-time NRL try scoring record.</a></p> <p>Johnston needs a hat-trick to go one clear of Ken Irvine’s long-standing record of 212 four-pointers. That may seem unlikely, until you learn that AJ has <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/most-nrl-hat-tricks-of-all-time">the joint most hat-tricks in NRL history,</a> with 16 and counting.</p> <p>Two records in one night? Why not? Roosters to make the finals, Johnston to make history.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sydney Roosters.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Tryscorer Prediction</h3> <p>Were we ever going to pick anyone else? If Alex Johsnton wants to score a hat-trick and break Ken Irvine’s record, he’ll need to get started early.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Alex Johnston.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Eight of the Roosters last nine home matches have gone over the total match points line.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points (51.5).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Roosters vs Rabbitohs Anytime Tryscorer Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Mark Nawaqanitawase</h3> <p>Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored at least one try in each of his seven previous appearances against teams on a winning streak.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tyrone Munro</h3> <p>Tyrone Munro has scored at least one try in eight of his last 10 appearances in New South Wales.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Daniel Tupou</h3> <p>Daniel Tupou has scored at least one try in each of Sydney's last six home matches.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tallis Duncan</h3> <p>Tallis Duncan has scored at least one try in three of South Sydney's last four matches.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>James Tedesco</h3> <p>James Tedesco has scored at least one try in each of Sydney's last five home matches against teams on a winning streak.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jye Gray</h3> <p>Jye Gray has scored at least one try in each of South Sydney's last two matches against Sydney.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Roosters vs Rabbitohs Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Roosters Team List</h3> <p>1. James Tedesco</p> <p>2. Daniel Tupou</p> <p>3. Billy Smith</p> <p>4. Robert Toia</p> <p>5. Mark Nawaqanitawase</p> <p>6. Hugo Savala</p> <p>7. Sam Walker</p> <p>8. Spencer Leniu</p> <p>9. Connor Watson</p> <p>10. Lindsay Collins</p> <p>11. Angus Crichton</p> <p>12. Victor Radley</p> <p>13. Naufahu Whyte</p> <p>14. Benaiah Ioelu</p> <p>15. Egan Butcher</p> <p>16. Blake Steep&nbsp;</p> <p>17. Siua Wong</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List</h3> <p>1. Jye Gray</p> <p>2. Alex Johnston</p> <p>3. Isaiah Tass</p> <p>4. Jack Wighton</p> <p>5. Tyrone Munro&nbsp;</p> <p>6. Ashton Ward</p> <p>7. Jamie Humphreys</p> <p>8. Sean Keppie</p> <p>9. Siliva Havili</p> <p>10. Keaon Koloamatangi</p> <p>11. Tallis Duncan</p> <p>12. Jai Arrow</p> <p>13. Lachlan Hubner</p> <p>14. Brandon Smith</p> <p>15. Jacob Host</p> <p>16. Cody Walker</p> <p>17. Cameron Murray</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Roosters vs Rabbitohs Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp;Friday, September 5, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off: </strong>8:00pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Allianz Stadium, Sydney.&nbsp;</p>