St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Predictions: 3/1 Bunnies get vital narrow win

A 13^th vs 17^th clash in the NRL Premiership is not normally one anyone would get overly excited about, but the traditional ‘Charity Shield’ rivals of St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs face off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday with plenty to prove (kick-off 08:30 BST, 17:30 local – live on Sky Sports Arena).

The Dragons enter the match just two points shy of the top eight despite hefty recent losses, while the basement Bunnies need to get back on track under interim boss Ben Hornby after the sacking of coach Jason Demetriou. My St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs predictions forecast a huge stack of points.

Team News

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan makes changes following a second successive defeat last week against the high-flying Cronulla Sharks.

Christian Tuipulotu is a withdrawal, but in comes Moses Suli in the centres, with Zac Lomax switching to the wing. Raymond Faitala-Mariner is set to step in for Blake Lawrie in the back row, with recent addition from Hull FC, Fa’amanu Brown, again available off the bench.

Full-back Tyrell Sloan was charged with a trip last week but has been cleared to play on Saturday.

The Rabbitohs make nigh-on 100 changes from the side that led early against the Penrith Panthers last week before falling 42-12 to the champions.

Skipper Cameron Murray, Dean Hawkins and Jye Gray all miss out after picking up injuries last week, while Jacob Host is suspended. In come Dean Teaupa at scrum-half, Gehamat Shibasaki on the wing and Siliva Havili, who steps up from the bench to replace Murray at 13.

The good news for Hornby is that Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension to slot in at full-back.

South Sydney to win by 1-12 points @ 3/1

0-38, 24-46, 10-30, 18-60, 10-20… At least the Dragons’ 10-point loss to the Sharks last week bucked the trend of them losing by 20+ whenever they didn’t win, but four hidings in five defeats still doesn’t help their points difference look particularly smart.

And while they come up against the competition’s worst defence in the Rabbitohs, the fact that the visitors are coming off a nine-day turnaround as opposed to St George’s six means that the fresher legs and minds may prevail this weekend.

There should be lots of points in this one, but while I would normally fall on the side of the Dragons given the standings and the Rabbitohs’ injury difficulties, I just have a hunch that Hornby can get them over the line in this one thanks in large part to that longer turnaround time. Besides, that 3/1 is very tempting.

South Sydney Total Points Over 20.5 @ 20/21

Even if our 3/1 shot doesn’t come in, I’m expecting this one to be a pointsfest. As such, the total points market is one to study.

Over 52.5 points at 13/8 has a fair lure to it, but I think the Rabbitohs can score big off the back of Latrell Mitchell’s return and 21-plus at 20/21 seems a safe shout.

That way, whether they win 22-18 or lose 40-22, we’re covered either way.

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