New halfback . . . Tim Moltzen will wear the No.7 jersey for the Tigers allowing Benji Marshall to return to five-eighth.
Photo: Getty Images

Saturday, ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm
Referees: Steve Lyons, Alan Shortall
Head to head: Tigers 7, Rabbitohs 6
Last clash: Rabbitohs 23 bt Tigers 22 at SCG (Rd 10, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Rabbitohs $1.85, Tigers $1.95
FootyTAB: Tigers +2.5 points

The Rabbitohs are being forced to back up after only five days for the fifth time this season, and they have a poor record at trying to overcome that challenge. They have lost three times and drawn on the other occasion, and the draw was against the Eels, who were also backing up after five days. The Rabbitohs played on Monday night, and were blown away in the first 20 minutes of the second half by the Knights in Newcastle. The Rabbitohs, who had done well to lead 12-6 at halftime, should have been ready for a full-throttled response from the home side after the break, but couldn't handle it when the Knights lifted and by the 60th minute mark the Knights were leading 24-12. The Rabbitohs scored two tries in the last three minutes, when the game was all over, and lost 25-20.

It's fortunate for the Tigers that they don't have to back up after five days here, because they have done it four times and lost on each occasion. Instead, the Tigers have an eight-day turnaround after their 21-10 loss to the Dragons. The Tigers must be a frustrated lot. They have lost seven of their last eight games, but have mostly been competitive during that period. They just can't win the close ones and that is killing them on the competition table. Three of their losses during that eight-game stretch were by two points, and another was by just one. That one-point loss was to the Rabbitohs. This promises to be another close one. The fact the Rabbitohs have to back up quickly makes me lean towards the Tigers, but no team has an iron grip on this match.

RABBITOHS: Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Colin Best, Ben Lowe, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Scott Geddes, Craig Wing, Roy Asotasi (capt), Luke Stuart, David Fa'alogo, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Shannan McPherson, Garret Crossman, David Kidwell (one to be omitted)

TIGERS: Shannon Gallant, Taniela Tuiaki, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (capt), Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis, Danny Galea, Corey Payne. Interchange: John Morris, Dene Halatau, John Skandalis, Daine Laurie.