With one team coming off their biggest win of the year and the other coming off their biggest loss of the year, the difference in form‑lines heading into this bye‑round clash couldn't be more stark for the Roosters and the Rabbitohs.
Perhaps surprisingly though, it's the fourth‑placed Roosters who are coming off a hiding at the hands of the Sharks and the 11th‑placed Rabbitohs who will be buoyed by a monstrous win over the Panthers.
The Roosters will also have to deal with the loss of halfback Mitch Pearce, prop Dylan Napa and winger Blake Ferguson to Origin duty, with Boyd Cordner also remaining unavailable due to Blues duty after missing the past two games with a calf strain.
Meanwhile, Fiji Bati forwards Eloni Vunakece and Kane Evans have been listed to play for the Roosters against the Rabbitohs on Friday.
Round 18 of the NRL will kick off on Friday when the Roosters meet the Rabbitohs at 9.50pm.
Source: NRL
