NRL Round 21 Preview and Prediction - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders @ Allianz Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs (14th) v Canberra Raiders (10th) @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - Both the Rabbitohs and Raiders will be looking to bounce back from defeats when they lock horns at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. The Rabbitohs managed to compete with the defending premiers in the Sharks for large periods of their game at Shark Park, however shot themselves in the foot with poor discipline and errors consigning them to a 26-12 defeat. With just 6 wins for the season, the Rabbitohs are now confirmed to be missing the finals for a 2nd straight season, with their 2014 Premiership win seeming like a distant memory. The Raiders threw everything into their 20-14 loss to the Storm, however managed to lose their 7th game this season by 6 points or less. It's been a season of massive frustration for Ricky Stuart’s men and they now have to win all of their remaining 6 games to be certain of making the finals. 

History - The Raiders have a decent recent record agains the Bunnies having won 3 of the past 4 clashes against Souths. However previous to those last 4 clashes theBunnies had won 5 in a row against the Raiders. Last season in the corresponding fixture the raiders embarrassed Souths handing them their biggest loss under Michael Maguire with a 54-4 thumping.
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report – Souths’ Captain Sam Burgess has been named, despite suffering what looked to be a serious rib injury against the Sharks last week. Coach Michael Maguire has made mass positional changes to his team, with Alex Johnson going to fullback, Robert Jennings to the wing, Tyrell Fuimaono to centre, John Sutton to the back row, and Cody Walker to five eight.
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders lose one of their strike players with Jordan Rapana missing out through suspension, with Michael Oldfield coming on to the wing. Sio Soliola will be missing for the rest of the regular season after his hit on Billy Slater. Joe Tapine comes into the starting back row, with Luke Bateman moving into lock. Veteran forward Jeff Lima is a chance to return to the side having been named on the bench. 
 
Verdict - Raiders by 4-12 in a high scoring game

Hard game to call here with both sides suffering extremely disappointing seasons and seeming to be lacking in confidence. I think, if both sides are at their best, the Raiders have more quality than the Rabbitohs, however it’s hard to trust a Raiders’ side that have been poor on the road this year. Given the Raiders’ finals’ hopes are still flickering, and Souths are dead and buried, perhaps the Raiders will be a little bit more motivated and desperate in this game. If the Rabbitohs are missing Sam Burgess that is a huge blow, and you would be hard pressed to tip them against anyone bar the Knights without their inspirational Englishman. I think this game will be high scoring, with both sides capable of scoring 20+, but the Raiders to get the victory which will keep their faint finals’ hopes alive.