Saturday nights NRL Preliminary Finals 2018 match is between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:50 AEST time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The home team Sydney Roosters are the favourites for the match.
When: 19:50 | Saturday 22/09/2018
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
Cross town rivals will be at their finest for this one!
For the Roosters not having Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa is a real concern as both players are so influential.
Not having Latrell is especially a big loss as he’s their X-factor and goal-kicker.
The Rabbitohs find themselves in a great position and sense a real unity between them since the sexting scandal.
The drama looks to have bonded them tighter and this game will be a game of opportunities and moments.
The team which capitalises on these moments the best will win.
Of the many matchups across the field, the massive forwards battle will be crucial.
I thought the last time these two met when the Chooks overwhelmed an understrength Souths team, the Bunnies looked likely at times.
Have they learnt their lesson?
I love the 2nd half we saw from Damien Cook off the back of the Burgess boys and if they can do their job then Cook will really put the Chooks to the sword.
KEY BATTLE: Cooper Cronk v Adam Reynolds
Then there is the battle of the two captains and I don’t mean who runs out first, I mean Cooper Cronk (pictured above) v Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds last week was simply brilliant and singlehandedly got his team in the spot they’re in.
Kicking game and direction will be crucial and these two will duke it out fiercely.
The Verdict
I’ve said all along that Souths will win the comp and I won’t change but this game will be epic.
Having no Latrell and Napa is a big loss for the Chooks and look for all the big game players to really step forward.
Souths’ left side attack again will be in full form.
Cody Walker for mine will be the difference.
Expect something special.
South Sydney has a 22-15 (59.5 percent) line record as an away team since 2016.
Unibet Odds:
Sydney Roosters at $1.72
South Sydney at $2.12
Odds:
Tip: South Sydney Rabbitohs at $2.00
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Greg Inglis at $13.00
Teams:
Roosters: 
1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Mitchell Aubusson, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Boyd Cordner, 12 Isaac Liu, 13 Victor Radley
Interchange: 14 Lindsay Collins, 15 Zane Tetevano 16 Nat Butcher, 17 Ryan Matterson
Reserves: 18 Matt Ikuvalu, 19 Sean O’Sullivan, 20 Paul Momirovski, 21 Sitili Tupounia.
Rabbitohs: 
1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Greg Inglis, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14 Hymel Hunt, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Dean Britt
Reserves: 18 Braidon Burns, 19 Mark Nicholls, 20 Tevita Tatola, 21 Connor Tracey.
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
