The Canterbury Bulldogs will be looking to break out of their ugly funk when they host a South Sydney Rabbitohs squad that will be looking to get back inside the top eight when they square off in their round 8 clash on Sunday. With the Bulldogs desperate to record just their second win of the 2020 season and the Rabbitohs looking to get back in the win column after having their modest winning streak snapped the last time out, let’s find out where the best value lies in this round 8 matchup, along with their NRL odds.
NRL Rabbitohs Vs Bulldogs Round 8
Why Bet On The Bulldogs
Canterbury is sitting in last place in the 16-team NRL standings with a paltry two points. The Bulldogs have scored an uninspiring 76 points while allowing 162 points defensively (-86). Canterbury has gone 1-3 at home, but a winless 0-3 on the road this season. The Bulldogs come into this matchup off a humbling 34-6 loss against the Wests Tigers on Sunday. Reimis Smith scored Canterbury’s lone try while Jake Averillo added a conversion in the loss. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs gave up a whopping seven tries and three conversions and never challenged after falling into a 16-6 halftime hole.
Heading into round 8, Will Hopoate is out for 6-8 weeks with an ankle injury. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will likely start at fullback in his absence, with Nick Meaney likely moving to the wing. Coach Dean Pay said he won’t rush English import Luke Thompson into the team despite the fact he is out of quarantine. Jake Averillo will be monitored after last week’s head knock.
Why Bet On The Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are sitting in ninth place in the NRL standings with six points. South Sydney has scored 144 points this season while allowing 134 points defensively (+30). South Sydney has gone a perfect 3-0 at home, but a winless 0-4 on the road. The Rabbitohs were on the wrong end of a hard-fought 20-12 loss against the Penrith Panthers on Thursday. Bayley Sironen and Alex Johnston scored tries and Adam Reynolds added a pair of conversions in the loss, but it wasn’t enough as Penrith scored four tries, one conversion and one penalty goal to get the win. Heading into round 8, no changes are expected.
General Match Info South Sydney Rabbitohs (3-0-4) vs. Canterbury Bulldogs (1-0-6)
Expert Analysis and Prediction
I know South Sydney is winless in four road games this season, but they’re playing the right team to finally get their first road win of the 2020 campaign. Canterbury has looked completely inept this season and has been limited to six points or less in four of their seven games this season.
Prior to their round 7 loss against third place Penrith, South Sydney had scored 72 combined points in taking out the Titans and Warriors in rounds 5 and 6 and I believe the Rabbitohs are going to put their fair share of point on the board in this matchup against a Canterbury squad that hasn’t been able to stop running water this season. South Sydney might now cover the chalk as a nearly 11-point road favorite, but they will win outright!
Pick: Rabbitohs 28 Bulldogs 18
Telstra Premiership 2020 Round 8 Matches
- Dragons vs Raiders – Friday 3rd July, 04:00 AM | GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Cowboys vs Eels – Friday 3rd July, 05:55 AM | Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
- Roosters vs Storm – Thursday 2nd July, 05:50 AM | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Broncos vs Warriors – Saturday 4th July, 03:30 AM | Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast
- Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Saturday 4th July, 05:35 AM | Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
- Knights vs Sea Eagles – Sunday 5tht July, 02:05 AM | Lottoland, Sydney
- Sharks vs Titans – Friday 3rd July, 01:00 AM | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
