The South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Mark Ross believes tonight's match against the Newcastle Knights is set to be a blockbuster of epic proportions.
With both teams on the rise in 2018 and, for Ross, it's a tough one to pick between two sides in form.
"Both teams have got merit as far as vying for the two points," said Ross.
"They're both two teams that are on the up and both play a really good brand of footy.
"Obviously Newcastle are on a high confidence level wise after beating Manly at Brookvale, the fortress, (Lottoland). Now they're back home at Newcastle with 20 odd thousand baying for the Rabbitohs' blood.
"Then obviously the Rabbitohs are coming into this match looking for redemption and I don't think back-to-back losses is going to go down to well with the throngs of fans who demand nothing short of Rabbitohs spirit."
While there isn't much that separates the two sides, Ross has a clear idea of where the game will be won on Friday night.
"Rabbitohs' ability to create space in the middle third to allow the likes of Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Greg Inglis to do what they do best is where they can really control this match," Ross adds.
"Especially if they can get the ball out early to Inglis, Newcastle's edge defence is going to need to be cherry ripe to stop him otherwise it could be a bath out there."
For Ross, it's a difficult decision to pick a winner, with "his head saying Rabbitohs and heart saying Knights," but the former winger knows both sets of supporters are in for one fascinating game of footy.
"[Dane] Gagai will obviously be excited about coming home for the first time to play against Newcastle and it will be a great battle between him and Nathan," said Ross.
"I think they're going to throw caution to the wind a bit and the occasion will be one as such.
"It's going to be downhill footy where they're going to go at each other blow for blow, strike for strike and set for set and I think it's a toss of a coin."
