South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Predictions: Crisis club will fall to ruthless champs

Rugby league is never dull, is it? Ahead of Thursday’s clash with the three-time back-to-bak NRL champion Penrith Panthers (kick-off 10:50 BST, 19:50 local), the South Sydney Rabbitohs board this week announced the inevitable departure of coach Jason Demetriou after more than two years in charge.

Interim head coach Ben Hornby now has to pick up the pieces ahead of the toughest of tests, and the week’s events make my South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers predictions that bit more difficult… 

Team news

The Rabbitohs’ selection will be particularly interesting since they submitted their initial matchday squad prior to Tuesday’s board meetings which led to Demetriou’s sacking.

The former coach had named Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson on the wing in place of the suspended Taane Milne, with Davvy Moale set to start in the front row and Tom Burgess handed the number 16 shirt.

Hornby, though, could make the most of the freedom within the 22-man squad, meaning the likes of Tallis Duncan, Liam Le Blanc, Dion Teaupa, Adam Christensen and Sean Keppie could find themselves handed the chance to break into a 17 which was humiliated by the Melbourne Storm in last week’s 54-20 loss which spelled the end for Demetriou.

Hooker Damien Cook is in line to make his 200^th NRL appearance, with all but nine of them coming in the famous Cardinal and Myrtle.

The Panthers have had far more settled preparation in comparison to their hosts, with Liam Henry the only absentee following the 26-20 win away to the North Queensland Cowboys last time out.

The good news for Ivan Cleary is that Sunia Turuva is back on the wing, with Paul Alamoti dropping to the reserve list. Ace prop Moses Leota also return, so Lindsay Smith is named among the substitutes.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 3 Penrith Panthers -24 @ 23/10

There are a number of factors to consider for this game since value is hard to find. The Panthers are, after all, the dominant force of the modern day, and they are facing a side in crisis.

The Bunnies have five wins to their name in their last 20 Telstra Premiership fixtures, and one from seven attempts this season. They have also lost four matches by more than 24 points so far in 2024.

While I’m not convinced this will be a complete cakewalk for the Panthers, it’s certainly worth a punt to say that the champs will stick a few points on South Sydney.

If value was more forthcoming I might edge towards a slightly more narrow margin, but 24-plus is a real possibility given the strike on display in the Penrith line-up and the big task ahead of the home side in terms of putting to bed the events of the past week. The 23/10 odds imply a 30.3% probability.

Penrith Panthers Over 32.5 Points @ 6/4

If the handicap bet doesn’t come in, this one ought to. The Panthers have cleared the 32.5-point mark only once so far this term – in a 34-12 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in round three – but they have more than enough in their locker to replicate that here.

Up against a Bunnies defence which has shipped 34 or more points five times in seven matches in 2024, including in each of their last three, Ivan Cleary and Jarome Luai ought to have more than enough about them to supply the firepower for a high-scoring win.

I’m doubling down on the Panthers here, so I’m sincerely hoping the ‘new coach bounce’ is not present at the Olympic Park.

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