A red-hot Rabbitohs, a grand final re-match and the return of Turbo; BetDeluxe dives into three mouthwatering match-ups this weekend.
Eels vs. Rabbitohs
4th July 7:50PM
Are we back on the Bunnies train yet?
After starting the season with nine losses from their opening 10 games, the Rabbitohs have bounced back emphatically with four straight wins. Kicking off with a 42-26 victory over the Eels in Round 12, Souths have since notched Ws against the Titans, Broncos and Sea Eagles. Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell’s return from Origin only strengthens their claims as they vie for five on the trot.
On the other hand, the Eels will be looking to end a run of three-straight losses when they welcome the red-hot Bunnies to CommBank Stadium. While they still punched home five tries against the Knights last week, the Eels gave up 34 points and have not kept a side below 22 since Round 6.
The Souths’ return to form is one thing, but the fact they’ve won seven of their past eight games against the Eels makes the $1.64 too good to pass up.
TIP: Souths to win @ $1.64
Broncos vs. Panthers
5th July 8:00pm
The Brisbane Broncos will be up against it in their bid to re-enter the top eight when they host the Penrith Panthers in a grand final re-match at Suncorp Stadium.
The home side, who are currently $2.40 outsiders and in 10th spot on the ladder, will welcome back Origin trio Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan. The three stars were sorely missed during last week’s 32-16 loss to the Warriors and will be required to turn up if the Broncos want to re-establish themselves as a force in 2024.
Much like the Broncos, the second-placed Panthers lowered their colours last weekend with a 6-16 loss to the Cowboys. It was the Panthers’ lowest offensive output since going scoreless to the Storm in Round 1. The inclusion of Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin will make the world of difference as the champions try to close the four-point gap to the Storm in top spot.
TIP: D. Edwards anytime try scorer @ $2.15
Cowboys vs. Sea Eagles
6th July 7:35pm
In a battle of 7th vs 9th on the NRL ladder, this is arguably the most important match of the round.
Coming off their biggest win of the season over the Panthers, the Cowboys will be chock full of confidence as they welcome Origin stars Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson back into the side. It was a defensive masterclass against the premiers last week, keeping them to just six points while Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue were sin-binned.
As for the Sea Eagles, fans across the country will be eagerly awaiting the return of Tom ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic this weekend after he was named to start in the centres in his return from a hamstring injury. While they’ve mixed two wins with two losses over the past four weeks, they’ll enjoy the fact they’ve not been defeated in Townsville since 2016.
TIP: Manly (+1.50) @ $2.00
