NRL Round 17 Preview and Prediction - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Penrith Panthers @ ANZ Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Penrith Panthers @ ANZ Stadium

Preview - The Rabbitohs will be looking for a rare back-to-back winning streak when they host the Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. The Rabbitohs are fresh off a bye after a big come from behind win over the Titans at ANZ Stadium where they came from 14-0 down to overpower the Gold Coast 36-20 to keep their faint finals’ hopes alive. The Panthers would have been ruing a game that slipped right through their fingers as a Kyle Feldt try at the death robbed them of what would have been a 5th straight victory to continue their mid-season surge. The Panthers now sit a game outside the Top 8, and they desperately need a victory over a Rabbitohs’ side with just 5 wins for the season. 

History - Souths have dominated the Panthers in recent years, winning 6 from the past 8 encounters. Earlier this season, they relied on Adam Reynolds’ field goal at the death to escape from Penrith with a 19-18 victory. Stunningly, the Panthers have failed to record a victory against the Rabbitohs in their last 6 clashes with them at ANZ Stadium. Overall, the Rabbitohs have the advantage historically, with 44 victories and 1 draw to the Panthers’ 34 victories. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs have made a few changes after a much needed bye week following their win over the Titans. Their inspirational Captain Sam Burgess is back from a week out with injury and he will be looking to continue his strong form in 2017. Hymel Hunt is out with a wrist injury with Aaron Gray moving into the centres and Kyle Turner dropping out of the 17 altogether. 

Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report – Panthers’ Coach Anthony Griffin has named the same 17 that went down narrowly to the Cowboys in Townsville. Mitch Rein has been in good form since debuting for the Club due to Peter Wallace’s injury, with the experienced dummy half hoping to retain his spot somewhere in the 17 when Wallace returns. 

Verdict - Panthers by 8-16 in a high scoring game

I just think the Panthers have too many weapons for the Rabbitohs. Souths have generally been competitive in all their games this year, so I don't expect the Panthers to have it all their own way, however I don't see the same trend in the Souths’ side as in the Penrith side. The Panthers have managed to win 4 of their past 5 clashes, with their loss coming in the last minute to the Cowboys, so their form is trending up at the moment, while the Rabbitohs are hard to get a read on. While Souths maintain a very slim hope of making the finals, I think this game is far more important for the Panthers who are right on the verge of the Top 8 and can ill afford to lose further ground. The Panthers played a great game at ANZ Stadium just a month ago, winning 38-0 against the Bulldogs, so afternoon conditions there won't hold any fear for them. I expect this game to be high scoring and entertaining, but the Panthers to have too much class and pull away in the last 20 minutes.