smh.com.au

Sunday, SCG, 2pm (AEST)

Referees: Steve Lyons and Tony De Las Heras
Head to head: Tigers 8, Rabbitohs 6
Last clash: Tigers 54-20 at ANZ Stadium (rd 17, 2009)
TAB SportsBet: Tigers $1.70, Rabbitohs $2.10
FootyTab: Rabbitohs +3.5

Rabbitohs skipper Roy Asotasi returns after being sidelined for nearly two months with injury. Photo: Getty Images

The Tigers gave their fans great cause for optimism through the early rounds, winning four of their first five games, but since then they have lost three in a row. They have had problems in the key halfback position, with a couple of options there going down injured and another not doing well enough to hang on to the spot, but one of those injured players - Robert Lui - returns for this game, and that should give the Tigers a big lift. Lui had begun the season well, before getting hurt.

The Rabbitohs, like the Tigers, have a win-loss record of 4-4. They won three in a row at one stage, but in their last three games they have won once and lost twice. Both teams are coming off the bye. The Rabbitohs also get a boost, with prop and captain Roy Asotasi returning from injury. His presence should result in a more consistent performance from the forward pack as a whole. If either teams produces an 80-minute performance, they will win. Both teams have had trouble concentrating for the full length this season.

Late Mail: Todd Payten is likely to be switched to prop for Wests Tigers, who lost Keith Galloway to a hand injury. Liam Fulton is expected to replace him against Souths on Sunday, while Junior Moors will join the interchange. The Rabbitohs are expected to be as named.

TIGERS: Beau Ryan, Daniel Fitzhenry, Chris Lawrence, Blake Ayshford, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (capt), Keith Galloway, Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Andrew Fifita, Liam Fulton, Mark Flanagan, Mitch Brown, Junior Moors (one to be omitted).

RABBITOHS: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Ben Lowe. Interchange: Scott Geddes, Shannan McPherson, Eddy Pettybourne, Jason Clark.