Panthers vs Rabbitohs NRL prelim final tips, odds & value bets

The Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs will square off on Saturday evening for a place in the 2022 NRL Grand Final, in a match that promises to be nothing short of a blockbuster.

It will be the fourth finals clash in the past three seasons between the two clubs, and the previous three have been ‘edge of your seat’ thrillers.

Penrith have just one issue as they come in to their third consecutive preliminary final, and that is a lack of game time over the past 28 days.

Because they locked up the minor premiership, they had the luxury of being able to rest their entire starting team, but could a win over Parramatta in week one of the finals prove to be a hinderance?

Earning another week off will mean almost their entire side has played just one game in 28 days.

Many will argue that the rest is exactly what they need because of their physical style and the fact they are deep into a third season where they’ve been the best team, but the finite window is left slightly ajar.

They have no injury concerns for the match, which has almost left punters without any choice.

They come into the game as a hot $1.37 favourite with Marantelli Bet, but that feels too short when you consider the recent history.

If Adam Reynolds had his foot behind the line in the 2020 preliminary final, could Souths have stolen the win late?

The 2021 NRL Grand Final was in the balance right until the last moment and it could have easily gone the other way had fortune not favoured Penrith on that night.

No one can argue Penrith didn’t deserve to win either of those games, but South Sydney were a lot closer and shouldn’t be as long a price as they currently are.

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When you consider Latrell Mitchell hadn’t played in any of the three previous finals between the two clubs, it makes it impossible to rule South Sydney out.

Mitchell has won eight of the nine finals games he has played in and had statement moments in just about all of them.

What that tells us is when he comes up the best defences, he rises to the occasion, and on the back of that his teammates will follow.

The $3.15 quote at Ladbrokes feels like it should come in a bit to give the Bunnies that respect, but ultimately that will come down to what the punters are feeling in the lead up to kickoff.

Unfortunately, they have some injury concerns, and it sees Siliva Havili ruled out with a calf complaint and Alex Johnston in doubt to take his place on the wing.

People might think ‘it’s just a winger’, but Johnston is a vital cog to South Sydney’s on the left edge and does a lot of little things that go unnoticed by most.

Stephen Crichton at $2.95 to score at anytime is terrific value to include in any same game multi, as is Campbell Graham at $4.

Souths’ right edge had plenty of success against the Sharks and they’ll try to go that way again to catch out the inexperience of Izaak Tago and Taylan May.

Key matchup: Api Koroisau vs Damien Cook

The two New South Wales hookers in Apisai Koroisau and Damien Cook hold a huge key for their respective teams. If Cook has room to run, Souths are in with a big chance to cause the upset. If Koroisau has time in the red zone to get crafty around the ruck, he will find a gap and put a man through a gap. Elite hooking talents. Just sit back and enjoy.

Penrith vs Souths prelim final betting predictions

If you make your tips based on injury availability, Penrith at the 1-12 price of $2.85 is hard to bet against. Stephen Crichton will also score a try and break South Sydney hearts once again.

Panthers vs Rabbitohs PF same game multi tips

Penrith 1-12 with Stephen Crichton and Campbell Graham to score a try each pays $27.35 at Ladbrokes.

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