Newcastle Knights vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Round 25 Match Preview

⏰ 20 August 2023 - 10:00 AEST

🏟 Stadium - McDonald Jones Stadium

NRL fans are gearing up for an exciting match as the Newcastle Knights take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in an upcoming NRL fixture. This highly anticipated game is set to play on 20 August 2023 at 10:00 AEST.

In the lead-up, AusBetSites has gathered the most up-to-date betting odds from 3 Australian online bookmakers across 23 markets. The current odds have installed the visiting Rabbitohs as favorites at 1.66 against the Knights. But with home-field advantage, Newcastle will be eager to protect their turf against the talismanic Souths.

Sunday's clash between the Knights and Rabbitohs is arguably the match of the round as the teams vie for finals spots. Newcastle sits 7th after six straight wins, while Souths cling to 8th having lost 4 of their last 7. The Knights have momentum but apart from the Storm, their wins have come against bottom sides like the Bulldogs, Tigers and Dolphins. Beating quality opposition has been a question mark.

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are running out of time to hit their stride before finals, assuming they even qualify. Scraping past the Dragons last week, considerable improvement is required despite having a full-strength squad.

When on-song, Souths can beat anyone. But the Knights are full of confidence and will provide a genuine test of where the Bunnies stand with September approaching. This shapes as a tantalizing contest between two of the competition's most unpredictable teams.

Newcastle Knights vs Rabbitohs Storm Head-to-Head

Over the last 8 years, the Newcastle Knights and South Sydney Rabbitohs have faced off 9 times. In their recent matchups, the Rabbitohs have dominated with 7 wins compared to just 2 for the Knights. Of the 9 games played between the clubs in that period, none have resulted in draws. With over 3 times as many victories as Newcastle, South Sydney has proven to be an extremely difficult opponent for the Knights to overcome in the modern era. The Rabbitohs' commanding 7-2 head-to-head record demonstrates they have historically matched up extremely well against Newcastle. Despite home field this time, the Knights’ poor recent record versus Souths suggests this could be another tough challenge facing the home side.

Newcastle Knights Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 The Newcastle Knights come into this match in red-hot form, currently riding a 5-game winning streak. Over their last 5 matches, the Knights have proven unbeatable, going a perfect 5-0. This dominant run displays Newcastle's tenacity and consistency across the park. With 5 consecutive wins under their belt, the Knights have built tremendous momentum heading into this clash with the Rabbitohs. Their flawless record over the past month demonstrates the Knights are gelling at precisely the right time to make a finals push.

Rabbitohs Storm Performance

🟩🟥🟩🟥🟥 Meanwhile, the South Sydney Rabbitohs enter this game seeking improved consistency after an up-and-down run of results. Over their past 5 matches, Souths have gone 2-3, looking shaky at times. The Rabbitohs started strongly with 2 wins before hitting a slump with 3 straight losses. While still boasting talent, South Sydney has lacked the poise and polish expected of a premiership contender during this erratic stretch. The team will need to recapture their best form if they hope to keep pace with the red-hot Knights.

📋 Players to watch:

• Alex Johnston has scored 15 tries in 9 games against the Knights.
• Dominic Young has scored 21 tries in his last 19 home games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
• Greg Marzhew has scored a try in 5 of his last 6 matches.
• Isaiah Tass has scored a try in his last 4 games versus top-8 teams.

⚡ Match Facts:

• The Rabbitohs have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between these clubs.
• Souths haven't lost to the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2011.

These points demonstrate South Sydney's long-term dominance over Newcastle, especially up in the Hunter region. The Rabbitohs' stellar record against the Knights exemplifies their ability to consistently conquer this opposition. However, Newcastle's sizzling recent form provides hope that they can break the Rabbitohs' stronghold in front of a parochial home crowd.

💡 Match Prediction:

The prediction takes into account the red-hot Knights' 5-game winning streak, suggesting they could score 5+ tries to reach the mid-30s at home. Meanwhile, the inconsistent Rabbitohs may manage 2-3 tries to end up around the 18-point mark. The dominant 13+ point expected margin fits with the Knights winning 36-18. Of course, the actual score could end up being a bit different in either direction. But based on the data given, a reasonable prediction is Knights 36 - Rabbitohs 18, with Newcastle continuing their blistering form.

Despite South Sydney's strong historical record in the rivalry, the red-hot Newcastle Knights have been installed as commanding favourites at home against the inconsistent Rabbitohs. The Knights have a huge 74.5% probability to win compared to just 25.5% for the Souths. At fair odds, Newcastle is a dominant favourite at $1.34 while the Rabbitohs are outsiders at $3.93. The Knights' stellar form and depth across the board make them clear picks to overpower South Sydney. With 5 straight wins, Newcastle appears unstoppable at the moment. Meanwhile, Souths have struggled for consistency with a 2-3 record in their last 5 outings.

For these reasons, the Knights are strongly predicted to continue their dominance by beating the Rabbitohs by 13 or more points on home turf. While South Sydney has talent, they look overmatched against a Knights side firing on all cylinders.

Score Prediction: Knights 36 - 18 Rabbitohs