Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction: A close scoreline is expected

The Brisbane Broncos are expected to overcome their grand final (and Vegas) hangover with a decisive victory against the Rabbitohs at the familiar Suncorp Stadium on Thursday morning. Both teams, beginning their season with losses, are anticipated to elevate their performance.

The Brisbane Broncos put up a commendable performance in their 20-10 loss to the Roosters in Vegas during the first weekend of Round 1. While the statistics indicated a closely contested match, the Roosters secured a crucial advantage in territory, spending 57 percent of the game in Brisbane's half. Unfortunately, the Broncos couldn't capitalize on their opportunities within Sydney's 20, and they faced difficulties with the tighter in-goal, kicking three balls dead throughout the match. Captain Adam Reynolds, cleared to play after recovering from a knee injury, will be on the field, and Brendan Piakura will start in the second row. Corey Jensen joins the run-on side, with Martin Taupau moving to the bench.

South Sydney experienced yet another subpar defensive showing, allowing 6 tries in their 36-24 defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles in Vegas two weeks ago. The team's vulnerable defense, a persistent issue at the conclusion of the previous season, is causing concern among fans at the outset of 2024. Despite holding 50 percent possession and only a three percent deficit in territory compared to the Sea Eagles, Souths appeared unsettled on the edges, conceding five linebreaks in the match and displaying vulnerability in defending their line. The success of their forwards is pivotal, and they must prioritize increasing their ruck speed to effectively challenge the Brisbane Broncos and catch them off guard.

The probabilities indicate that the Broncos are poised for a comeback following their Round 1 loss. They stand as strong favorites, and the absence of key players for the South Sydney Rabbitohs puts them at a disadvantage in multiple positions. However, the Rabbitohs are not entirely ruled out of the competition. Despite the recent success of the Brisbane Broncos, this upcoming match poses a challenging test that they aim to demonstrate their capabilities in. While boasting a superior home record (59% vs. 50%), the Broncos face a formidable opponent in the Rabbitohs, who have secured victory in two out of the last three encounters on this turf. Anticipate improvements from both teams, especially with the wider field offering the Broncos' attack a smoother flow compared to the previous year. Given the stakes involved, it would be surprising to witness the Rabbitohs succumbing to a defeat by a margin of 13 points or more for consecutive weeks.