It has been a testing start to the season for both the Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights, with both sitting outing the playoff spots in the rugby standings.
Both teams come into this showdown on Friday after losing their previous matches. But which team will land a much-needed success in their race for a playoff place? You can find the latest rugby odds and our Eels vs Knights prediction below.
Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Information
Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights
Location of the Game: CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Australia.
Date and Time: Friday, April 28, 2023. 4:00 AM ET.
How to Watch: NRL Player
Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Recent Scores
Before making an Eels vs Knights prediction, it’s important to assess the previous clashes. This will be the 43rd time that the NRL sides have collided since 1998. With the Knights holding a slender advantage with 22 wins.
Meanwhile, the Eels have picked up 20 wins over the same period. However, the Eels come into this showdown after winning each of their previous two against the Knights. The most recent of those was a 39-2 win in April 2022.
Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Betting Analysis
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels come into this game one place below the Knights in the current standings, having lost one more game this term. So far this term, they have picked up three wins from the eight games that they have played, and they have a points difference of +3.
They have the best points difference of any side outside the top seven, which is a testament to their defensive play.
The Eels went into the previous round of games after landing back-to-back victories against the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs, but they were brought crashing back down to earth with a 26-16 loss at home against the Broncos.
They held their own against one of the in-form sides in the NRL, but they lacked the clinical attacking nature in the final third to really trouble the Broncos in terms of a victory.
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are slightly closer to the playoff spots than their rivals this weekend, but they have also claimed three wins from their eight games.
Meanwhile, they currently have a -5 points difference, and are one of two teams in the NRL that have been held to a draw after the opening months of the season. However, the Knights come into this Friday’s showdown in slightly more concerning recent form, as they have lost each of their previous two.
Both matches have been extremely close affairs, as they lost by one point against the Panthers, before falling to a two-point defeat last weekend against the Cowboys.
However, there is enough evidence from their performances on the road this term to suggest that they could ask big questions of the Eels. Their standout win was recorded away from Newcastle, as they secured a 14-12 success over the Wests Tigers.
Updates
Jayden Brailey is out for the season for the Knights, while Brodie Jones, Adam Clune, and Adam Elliott aren’t expected back for a few more weeks.
Meanwhile, Reagan Campbell-Gilard and Bailey Simonsson remain sidelined for the Eels this weekend.
Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Betting Preview
Moneyline
- Parramatta Eels: -239
- Newcastle Knights: +190
Spread
- Parramatta Eels (-8.5): +110
- Newcastle Knights (+8.5): -134
Over/Under Total
- Total Points: Over 40.5 (-110) Under 40.5 (-110)
Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Betting Prediction
This is one of the more testing matches to make rugby league predictions on this week. Both sides will be desperate for a return to winning ways, but both are without top stars.
However, we think that the traveling side could make for a solid Eels vs Knights prediction this weekend. The Knights haven’t lost by more than 8.5 points in each of their previous two games. They have only been beaten by that scoreline against the Dolphins this term.
- Pick: Newcastle Knights (+8.5) -134
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