The good news for the Newcastle Knights and the Gold Coast Titans is that somebody has to win these rugby betting predictions – but then again even a draw wouldn’t be a shocker. These are two struggling squads, with the Knights having lost 10 of their last 12 matches which is about as bad as Gold Coast’s mark of 1-10 in their last 11.
It’s not surprising that these are two teams at the bottom of the ladder, with the Titans actually being at the foot at a measly 3-12. Newcastle isn’t much better at 4-10, and a trip to the Finals seems like a longshot for both teams at this point.
Last Game Records
The entire NRL was on bye for Origin last weekend so at the very least these two struggling teams are fresh. In round 15 the Titans suffered their fifth straight loss in falling 18-10 to the Sharks, and it really makes one wonder how Gold Coast beat the #8 seed Dragons in the May 14th rugby betting picks.
The Knights did not taste success during the month of June, taking their medicine 42-6 against Penrith, falling 20-18 to the Raiders, and also having two weekends off. Newcastle had actually won two of their last three in May, so they are hoping that the Friday July 1st matchup with Gold Coast is a fresh start.
Overall these two teams have been evenly matched in recent years. When they’ve played two games in 2017, ‘18, ‘19, and ‘21 they’ve all been season splits with the home team usually getting the edge. That does give the Knights some value playing at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
Knights vs. Titans Betting Analysis
The betting odds for this matchup are a true coin flip, and Newcastle comes out as a -1.5 favorite due largely in part to playing at home. Some would say that point spread should be higher against a team at the bottom of the ladder in Gold Coast, but maybe that in itself is an indictment on the Knights.
Gold Coast lost 38-4 in their last visit to Newcastle in 2019, with the 2021 game between these two teams being played in Brisbane. The Knights are the lowest scoring team in the NRL with 184 points, which is why they are still a hesitant play in rugby betting predictions even playing on their own turf.
Pressure Is On for the Knights
The #8 seed is currently 7-7, so the 4-10 Knights would likely have to win out with eight rounds to play just to even be a longshot for the Finals. Those aren’t some great odds, but at the same time beating the bottom feeding Gold Coast on Friday is absolutely mandatory.
The Knights job gets a little tougher this weekend with skipper Kalyn Ponga out after suffering a concussion during Origin play last weekend. Daniel Saifiti and Bradman Best should return as starters here, but Ponga is the team’s second leading scorer behind Jake Clifford.
Gold Coast Can Play Relaxed
Is this the time of year that a team like Gold Coast becomes the most dangerous? They aren’t headed towards any type of top eight position at just 3-12, so the Titans can go out and play relaxed and carefree. Of course that hasn’t happened during a five match losing streak, but the 18-10 loss to the Sharks last time out was at least competitive.
The good news for the Titans is that David Fifita should be back for the first time since round 12. One thing not working Gold Coast’s way though is that they haven’t won in Newcastle since 2016 and aren’t exactly in the greatest form to break that trend right now.
Knights vs. Titans Betting Preview
Does this game simply become a wager on the home team? That’s usually who has the edge when these two squads meet up in past year’s rugby betting picks.
Knights vs. Titans Betting Prediction
The fact that Newcastle is only a -1.5 favorite in the rugby betting odds is somewhat perplexing, but that looks like the side to play. The Knights only played two NRL games in June and should be well rested. So is Gold Coast however after the idle weekend, but this one has to go the Knights’ way.
How to bet on Knights vs. Titans
Take Newcastle -1.5
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