Knights vs Rabbitohs Prediction: Scintillating Souths set to dance through the Knights

| Friday 1st May 2026, 16:00

Friday 1st May 2026, 16:00

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are riding high heading into Round 9 of the NRL Premiership following their 48-6 hammering of the Melbourne Storm. Next up are the Newcastle Knights at the McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday (14:00 local, 05:00 BST, Watch NRL).

Souths are fourth on the ladder following that brilliant Anzac Round win, but Justin Holbrook’s side carry quite the threat. My Knights vs Rabbitohs predictions and full team news follow with the latest match odds from Betfred.

Knights vs Rabbitohs Betting Tips

Handicap 2-way Alt 1: Rabbitohs -8.5 @ 13/8
Rabbitohs Over 30.5 Points @ 6/4

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Knights vs Rabbitohs Odds

The Bunnies have the edge, according to the oddsmakers. They’re a 4/5 shot for the win in 80 minutes, with the Knights available at 11/10.

The draw in regulation time is priced at 16/1, with the Rabbitohs given up just 2.5 points in the standard two-way handicap.

Team News

You have to feel good as a Knights fan looking down the squad list this week.

Back come Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew from hamstring, groin and head injuries respectively. Tyson Frizell also comes in after rib trouble and will be among the subs.

Fletcher Sharpe will start at six to allow Ponga to slot straight in at full-back, so Sandon Smith is on the bench. Fletcher Hunt, Pasami Sauolo and Francis Manuleleua also drop down to the interchange list, with Trey Mooney promoted for the start in the front row.

Rugby League Odds

Wayne Bennett calls up Keaon Koloamatangi for a back-row start in place of Brandon Smith. The latter is carrying a calf issue.

Jamie Humphreys is good to go in the halves, but Adam Elliott will have to wait a little longer for his Rabbitohs debut after being named among the reserves. He is still to return from calf trouble which has kept him out since May 2025 while playing for the Knights.

Handicap 2-way Alt 1: Rabbitohs -8.5 @ 13/8

I was dead impressed with what I saw of the Knights in the first five weeks of the season, but since then they have sprung a leak in defence.

The three losses sustained since their Round 5 win over Canberra have come with an average of 41 points conceded per game. So Holbrook definitely has some work to do to make them ultra-competitive once more.

And one side who can definitely pick holes in vulnerable defences is this Souths unit. Last time out they preyed upon the reeling Storm, and the confidence they’ll head to the Hunter region with is likely immeasurable.

The 8.5-point handicap looks good to me, with 13/8 implying a 38.1% probability.

Knights vs Rabbitohs - Handicap 2-Way Alt 1

Rabbitohs -8.5

13/8

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Rabbitohs Over 30.5 Points @ 6/4

Here’s another one that can make the most of the Bunnies if they fire in attack once more.

Matt Dufty has been a revelation since stepping up from NSW Cup duty, delivering performances few would have believed possible after his spell with Warrington Wolves ended badly.

Meanwhile, they have the strike on the edges to make the most of any gap they see. That was well evidenced in Tallis Duncan, Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham combining for seven tries last week.

A 6/4 price looks good to me for a side who have met the 30-point mark in four straight matches.

Knights vs Rabbitohs - Rabbitohs Total Points 27.5-30.5

Over 30.5

6/4

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.