Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction: Bunnies to upset the odds in derby
The two great rivals of Australian rugby league come head-to-head once more on Friday when the Sydney Roosters take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium (20:00 local, 09:00 GMT, Sky Sports Action).
The Chooks were awful first up against the Warriors, but the Bunnies got off to a flyer in an epic win over the Dolphins. That form will play into my Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs predictions below, which come with the latest team news and Betfred’s match odds.
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publishing
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Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds
Despite their punishing loss in Auckland last weekend, the Roosters get the nod from the bookies here. Trent Robinson’s side are 4/5 favourites for the win at an implied 55.6% probability.
Souths are 11/10 to triumph, while it’s 16/1 to go the distance after a draw in 80 minutes.
The Bunnies get just 1.5 points on the regular two-way handicap, with their price cut to 20/21 in return. The Roosters are 5/6 to overcome the slender disadvantage.
Team News
The Chooks welcome back Tonga international Rob Toia after a foot injury, so he comes into the outside backs in place of Junior Pauga. The Samoan drops to the interchange bench.
Nat Butcher is another made to sit and wait, with Siua Wong stepping up to take the number 12 jumper having come off the bench in the 42-18 reverse at Mount Smart.
Jayden Sullivan comes in at scrum-half to start for the Rabbitohs after news that Ashton Ward will miss eight weeks of footy with the syndesmosis injury he suffered against the Dolphins.
Sean Keppie steps up to the bench, with Latrell Siegwalt joining the matchday 19. Liam Le Blanc, Thomas Fletcher and Salesi Ataata are the three standbys.
Rabbitohs by 1-12 @ 12/5
There’s an assumption among many that the Roosters will come good soon enough, and I’m broadly in that camp.
But they looked pretty disjointed against the Warriors in Round 1 and I’m unconvinced that they flick the switch overnight.
Daly Cherry-Evans is a champion player, and his embryonic partnership with Sam Walker is bound to come good soon enough. Does that mean they become a dynamic duo within seven days, though? I’m not so sure.
The Bunnies looked fantastic for decent spells at Suncorp last week, with Campbell Graham crossing for a couple of genius tries and Latrell Mitchell looking great back at centre having played their sparingly over the last six years.
This ought to be a pretty thrilling encounter, with Wayne Bennett’s troops looking for a first two-win start in seven years.
While I think the Roosters will be better this week, there’s reason to believe the Bunnies can pick them off and claim a narrow win. At 12/5, it’s certainly a value bet.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Roosters Under 22.5 Points @ 11/10
There’s as much reason to believe this one could be 37-36 as there is to predict a 14-12 scoreline. Just look at how many points these two shipped between them in Round 1.
But most NRL clubs are very good at applying defensive fixes on the hoof, and especially so ahead of a big derby game where you don’t want to be giving your rivals a chance to bring the crowd in behind them.
So this one might well see the two sides tighten up a little, and therefore I fancy the Under 22.5 bet for the Roosters.
They looked clunky in attack at Mount Smart. And if things are just that bit more cagey, they should have to do more to get over the line against their nearest and dearest.
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.
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