Reds vs Rebels Predictions - Rebels to run Reds close in crucial Super Rugby clash

Reds have won seven of their last eight matches against the Rebels. When they met in mid-March this year, the Reds won 53-26 on home soil.

The Reds’ season has swung between good and bad, and their results show. They are fifth on the table with five victories and five defeats.

Victory will get close to securing them a playoff berth, but ultimately, they are just six points off fourth place which would mean a home quarterfinal.

This is simply a must-win for the Reds on home soil. They have been good over the last three weeks, beating the Highlanders 31-0 before losing narrowly 41-34 to the Blues. Last week the Reds went to Christchurch where they beat the Crusaders 33-28.

This is a crucial match for both sides so the Reds will certainly be at full strength.

The Rebels are sixth on the Super Rugby table, just three points off the Reds. They have the same record as won five, lost five in their opening 10 games.

Where the Rebels have struggled is to remain competitive in games they have lost as they have a -83 points difference, 80 worse off than the Reds.

While the Rebels were on a three-match winning streak after seeing off the Waratahs away, Fijian Drua at home and the Highlanders at home, they have lost their last two. The Crusaders hammered the Rebels 39-0 and last week, on home soil, the Melbourne side went down 38-11 to the Blues.

The Rebels cannot afford to rest players in this game. Victory will see them climb up to fifth, above the Reds.