Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
10th September 10:50hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Rabbitohs -8 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/10 odds taken 04:52 GMT, Monday 8th September
Wests Tigers collected a dramatic win last weekend as they edged their way past the Manly Sea Eagles.
That was their second win in their last five fixtures though. Next up for them is a tough game here against the Rabbitohs.
In the NRL betting, South Sydney are the favourites for this one. But they had a great run of form snapped last weekend as they suffered a loss against the Melbourne Storm.
Table of Contents
Wests Tigers Preview – Can the Tigers get valuable points for top-eight push?
Wests Tigers finished round 17 of the NRL four points outside of the top eight. So they are still there with a shot but need to get some momentum going.
There is little margin for error from this point on.
Last weekend they dug out a thrilling 34-32 win over the Sea Eagles to move on to a W7 L10 record.
That win was welcome as they had lost their previous two against the Panthers and Roosters, both tough games.
One immediate issue for the Wests Tigers is that they have conceded more points than any other team sitting in the top eleven of the NRL ladder currently.
They have conceded at least 29 points in each of their last five games. So that has been one part of a big problem with their form.
In three of their last five league fixtures, Wests Tigers have scored 16 points or fewer.
Wests Tigers are the 11/5 underdogs for this match in the outright market* (odds taken 04:52 GMT, Monday 8th September).
Wests have averaged 28 points per game this season. But they only managed to put 10 on the board in an 18-10 loss against the Rabbitohs back in July this year.
Looking back at the recent head to head Wests Tigers have only managed to collect two wins in their last six against South Sydney.
From this point out Wests are going to need to collect at least three wins to have a chance at a top eight finish. Considering they have taken 7 in 17 so far, that’s not too likely.
The pressure is certainly on them. They really struggled to hold on to possession last week against Manly. So they are going to need to better the 42% stat in that area from last week.
In the handicap market, Wests Tigers +8 is a 10/11 option for NRL betting* (odds taken 04:52 GMT, Monday 8th September).
South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview – Rabbitohs look secure for a top-eight
The Rabbitohs are standing in seventh place in the NRL ladder. They have a good six point cushion following last week’s round of action.
So they are pretty much home and dry at this point. Or at least are looking for a very strong bet for a top half finish.
South Sydney had a wonderful winning streak snapped last weekend as they just found the Melbourne Storm a little too hot to handle.
It was a 16-22 defeat that the Rabbitohs suffered in that match. But they weren’t disgraced at all against a very strong side.
In the match before, South Sydney had trounced the Parramatta Eels. So they are in really good shape at the moment.
This does look to be a winnable match for them. A Rabbitohs -8 handicap is at 11/10 odds* (odds taken 04:52 GMT, Monday 8th September).
South Sydney have a W10 L7 record under their belt for the campaign and they have averaged 24 points per fixture.
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But the clear difference between them and the Wests Tigers is in defence
South Sydney Rabbitohs have conceded an average of 17 points per league fixture in this campaign. That stands in contrast to the 23 per game on average that the Tigers have conceded.
So there is wiggle room there for that -8 handicap we feel on the Rabbitohs in this fixture. Especially with Wests largely struggling to put points on the board in their recent form.
All but one of the last nine wins that South Sydney have taken over Wests have been by a margin of more than eight points.
Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Advice
We would have to side with the win for South Sydney in this one as they have been carrying the much better form recently.
They also have been putting far more points on the board in their last five than their opponents have been doing.
A loss against the Melbourne Storm last weekend is nothing to be concerned about when considering backing South Sydney.
Key Facts – Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Tip
- Wests Tigers have won 2 of their last six against South Sydney
- Wests Tigers hold the worst defensive record of the current top 11 in the ladder
- South Sydney Rabbitohs have won 4 of their last five league games
Wests were really poor with the ball in hand last weekend, but they managed to pull off a late escape to get a much-needed win.
But a lack of points in matches recently does tell a tale about them and while their missed tackle count was low last weekend, they are probably going to find the Rabbitohs too much for them.
We would look towards the Rabbitohs 1-12 winning margin for a bit of value at 11/5* (odds taken 04:52 GMT, Monday 8th September).
The best betting odds for Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Wests Tigers to win: 11/5 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
South Sydney Rabbitohs to win: 4/11 at Bet365
