Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers Predictions: Knights can shine at home

The Newcastle Knights welcome Wests Tigers to the McDonald Jones Stadium for an NRL clash on Sunday (07:05, Sky Sports Action) and the hosts will be eager to make the most of their opportunity against bottom-of-the-ladder opposition. The Tigers have lost six in succession after shipping 48 points in their defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys last week.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have lost three on the spin but the Knights gave reigning premiers Penrith Panthers a real scare last time and can take confidence from that improved display. Read on for my Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers prediction.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

Head Coach Adam O’Brien has reduced his squad to 19 for this Round 23 battle. The Knights will be without one of their key men once again with Bradman Best remaining sidelined with a hamstring injury while Jacob Saifiti is also seemingly set to miss out with a calf issue.

Dylan Lucas has withdrawn with a hamstring injury with Krystian Mapapalangi taking his spot.

For the Tigers, Adam Doueihi comes back into the side following a two-game absence and will line up in the centres in place of the injured Justin Olam. Aidan Sezer also returns after serving a ban.

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers Odds

Newcastle Knights are clear favourites to win at 3/10, with Wests Tigers at 13/5 and the draw a 22/1 chance. The home side are 10/11 to overcome a 10-point handicap and 13/10 to win both halves.

Newcastle Knights to win both halves @ 13/10

Newcastle Knights could still salvage their season but if they are to do so, they may be looking at having to win all of their remaining games.

To that end, a no-nonsense approach is needed when lowly Wests Tigers come to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.

They’ll be hoping that Kalyn Ponga can sparkle. The reigning Dally M medallist has just one try and four assists in 10 matches throughout 2024, with his absences helping to contribute to an underwhelming season so far.

The Knights have won seven of nine meetings between this pair with O’Brien as their head coach and can supplement that record with another success now. Their visitors are on a really cold run of late and backing the Knights to win both halves is appealing.

Their showing last week against Penrith was a big move in the right direction but they just lacked the quality to open up the Panthers. This is much less demanding.

Total Points Under 50.5 @ 10/11

Wests Tigers have averaged just 19 points in their six-game losing streak and history favours Newcastle, with a dominant head-to-head record and effective defensive plays that should restrict the Tigers’ ability to get on the scoresheet regularly.

The Knight too have their problems in attack. In the last 12 months, they have gone from averaging 26 points to a league-worst 17 points per game, with the regular absence of Ponga a factor.

The Tigers have managed just one win away from home this season and it could be another difficult road trip.

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