NRL Preliminary Final Tips - Sydney Roosters can claim Grand Final spot by beating South Sydney Rabbitohs by 1-12 points

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Winning Margin – Sydney Roosters to win by 1-12 points at 2.90 with bet365*

Sydney Roosters take on their traditional rivals, South Sydney Rabbitohs, in the second NRL Premiership Preliminary Final at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening, with a place in the Grand Final against either Melbourne Storm or the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at stake.

It’s perhaps fitting that the two teams who have both called the Allianz Stadium home down the years will feature in the final NRL Telstra Premiership match at the ground before it is knocked down for a new stadium to be built at the site.

The Roosters are the minor premiers, which gave them a significant edge going into the Finals Series.  As a result, they have had an extra week’s rest following their 21-12 win over the Sharks in the Qualifying Finals a fortnight ago.  

The Rabbitohs went down 29-28 to the Storm at the same stage in a game that saw them lead on more than one occasion, before recovering in another hard-fought battle to edge out the St George-Illawarra Dragons 13-12 at the ANZ Stadium last Saturday, having trailed at half-time.  

Those two grueling encounters may well have taken their toll on the Rabbitohs and the Roosters should benefit from having had more time to rest and prepare for this heavyweight clash.

It’s been honours even over the season to date, with Souths winning 26-14 in round six at Allianz Stadium, before the Roosters avenged that loss with an 18-14 triumph over the Rabbitohs at the ANZ Stadium in round 22.

Despite the extra time off, the Roosters will be without star centre Latrell Mitchell as a result of a crusher tackle suspension from the win over the Sharks.  They will also be missing the still suspended front-rower Dylan Napa, banned for his dangerous tackle hit on Brisbane Broncos’ hooker Andrew McCullough in round 24 of the regular season.  By contrast, the Rabbitohs have no injury concerns.

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs Betting Odds

The Roosters are the bookies favourites in the match betting, with Unibet going 1.78 on them prevailing.  

The Rabbitohs are on offer at 2.16, also with Unibet, while the draw is 21.00 at bet365*.  A Roosters win by 1-12 points looks the best bet at 2.90 with bet365*.

* Odds correct at the time of writing