NRL Betting Preview: Sydney Roosters can edge bitter rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs in top of the table clash
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Match Result – Sydney Roosters to win @ Evens (2.00) with Unibet
South Sydney Rabbitohs face their fierce local rivals, Sydney Roosters, in what is clearly the game of the week in Round 22 of the NRL premiership at the ANZ Stadium on Friday night, with the teams currently first and third in the league standings respectively.
The Rabbitohs returned to top spot in the Premiership last week an excellent 30-20 win over Melbourne Storm, so ending the latter’s eight-match winning streak and seeing the Bunnies leapfrog the Storm to go two points clear at the league summit in the process. It was Rabbitohs 11th victory in their last 12 games, so they are riding high on confidence.
The Souths will need to win again on Friday night if they are to retain top spot, with the Roosters themselves having the chance to go top on the night if they secure the points at the ANZ Stadium and they can stay there if the Storm go down at home to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on Sunday.
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Roosters moved level on points with the Storm courtesy of a 26-20 win over the North Queensland Cowboys at the Allianz Stadium, for what was their eighth victory in nine games. Their only loss in that run was a narrow 9-8 defeat at home to the Storm. Although their current run of form doesn’t quite match that of the Rabbitohs, both teams will go into this clash with huge self-belief on the back of such excellent records.
Back in April the Rabbitohs won 26-14 at the Allianz Stadium in Round 6, although it’s fair to say that the Roosters have improved immeasurably since their early season inconsistency.
There is almost nothing to choose in the NRL betting odds for the match between the two in-form teams, with the Rabbitohs priced at 19/20 (1.95) with bet365* and the Roosters only marginally bigger odds at Evens (2.00) with Unibet. Anyone who fancies extra-time being required can back the draw at 20/1 (21.00) with bet365*.
The Roosters probably have the slight edge ion overall quality and probably have more incentive to win the game given that they are two points worse off and the aim of securing top-four finish as a minimum.
* Odds correct at the time of writing
