Accor Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 8 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Thursday April 20, 2023 at 7:50 pm

Where: Accor Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Odds

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Preview

South Sydney and Penrith get Round 8 underway in explosive style with the heavyweights squaring off for the second time this season. Souths have now lost 10 of their last 11 against Penrith and were perhaps flattered by the 16-10 final scoreline against them on the road in Round 2.

After talking up a big game, the Rabbitohs (particularly Cody Walker) seemed preoccupied with the niggle, before Latrell Mitchell inspired a late surge.

It was the start of a 1-3 run for Souths, but they have improved to fifth with four wins courtesy of a convincing victories over the Bulldogs (50-16) and Dolphins (36-14) in the past two rounds.

Cody Walker was at his sizzling best as the Rabbitohs recovered from an eight-point halftime deficit to win the second half against the Dolphins 28-0, while Jai Arrow’s big performance was another key takeaway.

The second-placed Panthers have won their last three, thrashing the Raiders (53-12) and Sea Eagles (44-12) before digging deep to eclipse the Knights (16-15) in golden point.

Nathan Cleary was the hero with a pair of field goals as the premiers underlined their ability to play well below their best and come away with a win against an in-form opponent. Remarkably, the Panthers are yet to concede more than 17 points in a game.

Keaon Koloamatangi is a big out for Souths, with Michael Chee Kam replacing him. Izaac Thompson (ankle) returns at the expense of Taane Milne. Penrith’s Liam Martin is sidelined again, which sees Scott Sorenson come into the starting pack and Lindsay Smith join the bench.

The Panthers are deserving $1.50 favourites but this shapes as another close-fought clash; the 6.5-point line looks too big. Both teams have strong unders records in 2023 – four of Penrith’s games have produced 33 or less, four of Souths’ 38 or less – so that may be the most astute play here.

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