Match Analysis: Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Prediction
Match Details
- Date: 2025-06-28
- Time: 9:50 AM UTC
- Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Game Overview
The Round 17 NRL match between the Dolphins and South Sydney Rabbitohs is set to take place at Suncorp Stadium on June 28, 2025. This game is significant for both teams: the Dolphins are positioned 9th on the ladder, aiming to stay in finals contention after a recent defeat, while the Rabbitohs sit 16th and seek to improve after a tough start to the season. The match is notable for the coaching faceoff between Wayne Bennett, the Rabbitohs coach and former Dolphins coach, and Kristian Woolf, the current Dolphins coach and Bennettβs protege. The game is expected to be competitive with both sides motivated to break their recent losing streaks.
Key Factors to Consider
- The Dolphins have shown potential but faltered last week against the Knights, sitting just outside the top eight and needing a win to re-enter finals contention. South Sydney Rabbitohs have improved but remain inconsistent, suffering a narrow golden point loss to Melbourne last round. Key player performances include Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, who has scored 10 tries in his last five games and is chasing a historic try-scoring record.
- The teams met in the season opener with the Rabbitohs edging the Dolphins 16-14 in a close and gritty match. Historically, the Rabbitohs have had the upper hand in recent encounters, but the Dolphins have been competitive, especially under Woolf's coaching.
- The Dolphins have suffered a blow with the season-ending ACL injury to Jack Bostock, replaced by Junior Tupou on the wing. The Rabbitohs have had ongoing injury issues throughout the season but no major last-minute changes have been reported for this match.
- The match was relocated to Suncorp Stadium due to Cyclone Alfred earlier in the season, where it was originally scheduled for Sydney. The game is part of a unique scheduling situation with the Broncos-Warriors game earlier the same day at the same venue. Fans should expect a dry day game with sun safety considerations. The stadium operates cashless and has strict entry requirements, but none of these factors are expected to influence performance.
- Both teams are highly motivated: the Dolphins want to bounce back from a losing streak and keep their finals hopes alive, while the Rabbitohs seek to end a prolonged poor run over the last two seasons and build momentum. The coaching duel between Bennett and Woolf adds an additional psychological edge, especially for the Dolphins who want to prove their new coachβs ability against his mentor.
Odds and Predictions
| Category | Odds | Prediction | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Dolphins: -162, South Sydney Rabbitohs: 140, Draw: 2100 | Dolphins win | β β β ββ 65% |
| Spread | Dolphins -3.5: -115, South Sydney Rabbitohs +3.5: -115 | Dolphins -3.5 | β β β ββ 60% |
| Over/under | Over 49.5: -115, Under 49.5: -115 | Over 49.5 | β β β ββ 55% |
Top EV Betting Odds
Discover the best value bets based on our EV analysis.
| Market | EV Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Dolphins 0% |
| Spread | N/A |
| Over/Under | Over 49.5 1% |
π₯ Best Value Pick: Over 49.5 at 1% EV | Suggested Bet Size: 1.1% (Kelly Criterion)
Predicted Outcome
The Dolphins, playing at home and fighting to stay in the top eight, are favored to win by a narrow margin against the struggling Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohsβ recent form and presence of key players like Alex Johnston make the match competitive, but the Dolphins' motivation and home advantage give them the edge.
Predicted Score: Dolphins 26 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 20