Manly ready for Rabbitohs
NRL Tips 
/ James Cleary / 17 June 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
Boosted by the return of some of their star men and with home advantage, I’ll go for Manly to take it by 8.
With a top 4 spot up for grabs, and the teams fairly evenly matched, James Cleary still believes the Sea Eagles will make bunny mince of the Rabbitohs.
The Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs meet at Brookvale Oval, aiming to push their claims for a top-four spot.
The sides have identical records, having won seven and lost six of their 13 games. Both were defeated in week 14 on the road - the Sea Eagles went down 28-14 to the Titans, with the Rabbitohs outclassed 50-22 by the Broncos.
Manly have lost three of their last four, and, of their six defeats in 2010, only once have they been behind at half-time. They have scored just eight points in their last four second-half performances combined.
It is no coincidence that the slump has come at a time when they have been hit hard by injury and suspension issues. However, coach Des Hasler is able to name a much stronger line-up this time, with Steve Matai, Jamie Lyon and Anthony Watmough all due to return. The former, back from a ban, is set to make his 100th appearance in the NRL.
Similarly, the Rabbitohs were without five of their first-choice forwards against the Broncos, forcing them to bring Craig Stapleton out of retirement. Before then, they had won three of their last four, but they can at least welcome back Isaac Luke from a ban and Sam Burgess from international duty for this one.
The head-to-head favours the Sea Eagles, who have won seven of the last 11. Last time out in round 8, they only won 30-22 at ANZ Stadium after the had led by a much larger 30-6 early in the second half. Manly were too powerful and clinical on the day, with Jason King, Josh Perry, Watmough and Glenn Stewart impressive, and all start in this one. Beau Champion crossed twice last time for the Rabbitohs and is currently the joint-top try scorer in the competition, with team-mate Nathan Merritt one behind on 13, having crossed twice last week.
Ultimately, the match is likely to be won in the forwards and on who provides the quality in the respective kicking games.
Boosted by the return of some of their star men and with home advantage, I'll go for Manly to take it by 8.
