Rabbitohs v Panthers NRL preview & best bets – April 20, 2023

Anzac Round for the 2023 NRL Premiership kicks off on Thursday with the Rabbitohs hosting the Panthers at Accor Stadium.

The two sides return to the scene of the 2022 NRL Grand Final, where the Penrith Panthers won in convincing fashion. Having already lost to the defending premiers once this season, will the Rabbitohs be able to turn the tables on the Panthers?

The visitors will be without front-row enforcer James Fisher-Harris (knee) and New South Wales Blues second-rower Liam Martin (hamstring) due to injury. Matt Eisenhuth and Scott Sorenson come into the starting side, with Lindsay Smith filling a spot on the bench.

The home side have the advantage of their powerful winger Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson returning from an ankle injury. However, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have lost star back-rower and Blues Origin hopeful Keaon Koloamatangi to an ankle injury, with Michael Chee Kam replacing him in the starting side.

The Panthers find themselves amid a three-game winning streak; however, they have shown in recent weeks they are not a bullet-proof side, as the Knights proved last week. The Rabbitohs forward pack, despite the loss of Koloamatangi, is strengthening every week, and that is one area Penrith could be lacking with Fisher-Harris and Martin absent. The Rabbitohs have also shown brilliant attacking form through Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and Latrell Mitchell, so they are a great value bet to upset the Panthers at $2.61 odds with PalmerBet.

The Rabbitohs attack over the last fortnight has recorded a whopping 86 points, including 50 in one game against the Bulldogs. Many will argue that with the injuries to both the Bulldogs and Dolphins, the 2022 grand finalists have only done as expected. However, the ruthlessness with which Walker and Graham have played has proven the Rabbitohs will have the motivation to take on this NRL Grand Final rematch. Look for both Walker ($3.45) and Graham ($3.35) to stand up again and score a try at some stage as they push their cases for State of Origin selection.

Weather forecasts for Thursday suggest rain will hit the Sydney region, which will only make point-scoring more difficult at a ground that is already difficult to score at. The weakened forward packs for both sides will also affect each side’s to spend long periods of time in the opposition’s 20m zone. As such, it’s highly unlikely that more than 39.5 points will be recorded in this match ($1.90).

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Key matchup: Cameron Murray vs Isaah Yeo

Cameron Murray vs Isaah Yeo

The battle between these two Australia and New South Wales representatives will be arguably the matchup of the week. Both have incredibly high work-rates but are smart enough to inject themselves into the match at the right time, carrying the ball forward or moving it to the edges, to help their side advance down the field. Both also have very quick play-the-ball speeds, helping to put their side further on the front foot as the opposition is retreating. Both will need to step up to help fill the hole left by their injured teammates, and whoever rises to the occasion better will lead their side to a much needed win.

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