Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Verdict
The Rabbitohs have won 10 in a row against the Titans and can extend that dominance. I'm backing Souths to 32+ points and cover a -8.5 line with Alex Johnston to score 2+ tries.
- Rabbitohs have won the last 10 meetings vs Titans
- Rabbitohs have covered a -8.5 line in eight of those 10 wins
- Rabbitohs have scored 32+ points in six of those 10 wins
- Titans are on a four-game losing streak
- Titans have conceded 30+ points in all four of those defeats
- Alex Johnston has scored 10 tries in his last six appearances vs Titans
- Johnston has scored 28 tries in 19 games this season, including seven doubles
- Rabbitohs have conceded 1+ try to opposition hookers in five of their last nine games
- Oliver Pascoe has scored three tries in his last six games
Titans vs Rabbitohs Head To Head
Souths have won the last 10 meetings, but the most-recent was a narrow 20-18 triumph in Round 23 last year, with Johnston crossing for a double.
Gold Coast Titans Form
After beating the Panthers, Manly and Dragons between Round 16-21, it appeared as if the Titans were ready for a strong finish to the season.
However, they've gone the other way and instead head into this clash on a four-match losing streak, slipping to 16th spot on the ladder.
All of the promising work Josh Hannay's side were doing has sort of come undone and old habits are starting to slip back into the Titans' play, especially in defence - they've leaked 30+ points in all four of those defeats.
Gold Coast looked dangerous in attack (as they so often do) against the Knights and Sharks over the last fortnight, but weak defence ultimately cost them in both games, losing 36-26 and 30-22 respectively.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form
It's been a bit of a stop-start campaign for the Rabbitohs - they're yet to win three games in a row all year.
Wayne Bennett's side had the opportunity to do just that last week after coming off back-to-back victories against the Eels (28-24) and Bulldogs (22-6).
However, the Bunnies were absolutely blown away by the Warriors at Accor, suffering a 45-26 defeat as the Wahs ran away with the game in the second-half.
That aforementioned win over the Bulldogs in Round 24 looks like it will prove the pivotal game for Souths and two points here would punch their ticket to the finals.
Team News
Beau Fermor is out with a rib injury for the Titans, so Josh Patston comes back into the side from concussion in the only change from last week.
Big news for the Rabbitohs, with Latrell Mitchell named to return from another long injury layoff in the reserves. Jai Arrow has also been included as part of the squad for this game and next week, which will allow him to rack up 100 games for the Rabbitohs.
Jamie Humphreys and Adam Elliott have also been named to return on the bench for Souths.