Rebels vs Western Force Predictions & Tips - Tight contest predicted in Aussie derby

By Ralph Staniforth

24 May 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 24 May 2023

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Watch the Rebels vs Western Force in Super Rugby on Friday (10:35 BST)
Force have won their last 2 games
Can the Rebels keep their playoff hopes alive?

Expired

Force can go close in Melbourne (Getty Images)

Rebels vs Western Force Predictions

This should be a very tight contest with it being last chance saloon for the Rebels. The Force have won their last two games but have managed just one win in their last 10 away fixtures.

Rebels vs Western Force Predictions
Head to Head
Rebels Form
Rebels Injuries & Team News
Western Force Form
Western Force Injuries & Team News

I am backing the Force to get within the six point handicap, but a winner is tough to pick here.

Rebels have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
Western Force have won 3 of their last 4 matches against the Rebels.
Western Force have won their last 2 matches.
Western Force have lost 9 of their last 10 away matches.

Head to Head

Western Force have won three of their last four matches against the Rebels, including their match in round one of the 2023 Super Rugby season.

Rebels Form

The Rebels are second from bottom on just 16 points from their 12 matches. While they still have an outside chance of making the top eight, they will need to get two bonus point wins in the next two weeks, and hope other results go their way.

Since beating Moana, the Melbourne outfit has been on a three-match losing streak. They went down 33-26 at home to the Brumbies before losing 38-20 at the Waratahs.

Last week the Rebels lost 20-17 at the Highlanders, a result they really needed but just couldn’t get over the line.

Rebels Injuries & Team News

Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Matt Philip, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Reece Hodge, Lukas Ripley Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway

Bench: Theo Fourie, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa'amausili, Trevor Hosea, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Joe Pincus

Western Force Form

Western Force have five wins from their 12 matches and currently occupy eighth place, the final playoff berth. They will, however, need at least one result in the last two weeks to secure that place, although, if results go against them, they may need to win both.

After losing by 14 points to the Reds and then getting hammered 48-13 by the Crusaders, the Force have managed two wins in their last two games.

A 34-14 win over Fijian Drua got them underway but last week the Perth side caused a major shock, beating the Brumbies 34-19 at home. That will give them plenty of confidence going into this weekend in Melbourne.

Western Force Injuries & Team News

Force (1-15): Angus Warner, Folau Fainga'a, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells (c), Carlo Tizzano, Rahboni Vosayaco, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirge, Chase Tiatia

Bench: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Bo Abra, Izack Rodda, Tim Anstee, Isi Naisarani, Ian Prior, George Poolman

Verdict

Rebels v Western Force

I am backing the Western Force to finish within six points of the Rebels with an upset win possible.

Force +6

Handicap

@10/11 - 3 Units

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with bonus code NEWBONUS

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Force Win

Full Time Result

@21/10 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365