NRL Round 4 Preview: Rabbitohs v Panthers NRL tips | March 27

South Sydney Rabbtiohs v Penrith Panthers NRL R4 best bets

NRL Round 4: Rabbitohs v Panthers betting preview

The NRL returns to Accor Stadium on Thursday night to open Round 4 with a marquee clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers, two traditional heavyweights aiming to rediscover form.

Kick-off is set for 8:00pm AEDT, and while Souths sit above Penrith on the ladder through three rounds, it’s the Panthers who enter the match as $1.30 favourites with the top NRL bookmakers — despite their recent injury woes.

South Sydney came in off a flat performance against Cronulla, losing 27-12 in a game that was effectively over by half-time.

Despite that, they’ve shown grit under Wayne Bennett this season and welcome back their most prolific try-scorer in Alex Johnston, with the top rugby league betting sites having him at $2.05 to score.

The Panthers are staring down a rare three-game losing streak after falling to both the Roosters and Storm in the past fortnight.

More significantly, they’ll be without star halfback Nathan Cleary and fullback Dylan Edwards again, putting the spotlight on debutant half Trent Toelau and young playmaker Jack Cole to steer the ship.

This fixture has been historically lopsided in Penrith’s favour, with the Panthers winning nine of the last 11 regular season clashes.

Top online bookmakers have set the line at +10.5, and Souths have been strong against the spread early in 2025—covering in two of three games and proving they can hang tough even in defeat.

With a depleted Penrith side travelling to Sydney’s west, this looms as the Rabbitohs’ best chance to flip the recent script and take down the reigning premiers.

Rabbitohs v Panthers Rd 4 team news

South Sydney receives a major boost with Alex Johnston returning from a long-term Achilles injury to reclaim his spot on the left wing. Isaiah Tass shifts into the centres alongside Jack Wighton, while Mikaele Ravalawa holds his place on the right edge.

Jye Gray remains at fullback with Latrell Mitchell still sidelined, and Tallis Duncan continues to start at lock in the absence of suspended forward Lachlan Hubner.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray
2. Alex Johnston
3. Jack Wighton
4. Isaiah Tass
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Cody Walker
7. Jamie Humphreys
8. Sean Keppie
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Davvy Moale
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Tallis Duncan
14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Siliva Havili
16. Liam Le Blanc
17. Tevita Tatola

Penrith reshuffles their backline with Daine Laurie returning from a quad issue to start at fullback, forcing Paul Alamoti to the wing and Casey McLean out of the 17.

With Nathan Cleary ruled out under concussion protocols, Ivan Cleary hands Trent Toelau his first NRL start at halfback. Blaize Talagi will again come off the bench as utility cover, while Tom Jenkins retains a centre role after impressing last week.

Penrith Panthers

1. Daine Laurie
2. Paul Alamoti
3. Izack Tago
4. Thomas Jenkins
5. Brian To’o
6. Jack Cole
7. Trent Toelau
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Blaize Talagi
15. Isaiah Papali’i
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner

Rabbitohs v Panthers Round 4 betting predictions

Giving a double-digit start to the four-time reigning premiers is a risky move, even with Cleary and Edwards sidelined. Penrith pushed Melbourne all the way last week and still have the edge in forward strength and defensive structure. The Rabbitohs haven’t looked convincing despite a 2–1 start, and this line looks too generous. Expect Penrith to win by 11 or more at -111.11 with BetOnline.

Johnston returns from injury and goes straight back to the left wing, where he’s made a career out of finishing slick backline movements. He’s scored four tries in his last five games against the Panthers and remains Souths’ most reliable threat on the edge. With Tass and Wighton inside him, expect AJ to get his chances. At +105, he’s excellent value to cross at BetOnline.

Penrith games are three from three to the over this year, conceding 90 points across those matches. Souths also leaked 27 last week and have been poor defensively in yardage. Both sides have attacking threats across the park, and recent history suggests points flow when these two meet. Over 49.5 shapes as the smart play at BetOnline, in what could be an open, end-to-end contest.

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