Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights Preview
The points are tipped to flow between two high-scoring teams in Magic Round. The Knights are allowing 27 points per game this season and an average of 34.4 points across their last five, so the Gold Coast Titans Team Total Over 22.5 is the best bet.
The Newcastle Knights are dangerous enough to do their share of the scoring as well. They have put up 86 points over the past two weeks so take the total points 3-way range over 63 points.
- Newcastle are allowing 27 points per game this season and have conceded 34.4 points per game across their last 5 games.
- Gold Coast have averaged 21.6 points across their last 5 games and only need to clear 22.5 against a leaky Knights defence.
- Newcastle have scored 86 points across the past 2 weeks.
- Greg Marzhew has scored 8 tries in his last 2 games and is the clear 2+ tries play.
Head to Head Stats
Gold Coast have won only two of the last five games against Newcastle but have still averaged 22.8 pts per game and scored 24+ in four of five games.
The Titans won both meetings last season, 24-20 in Newcastle and 26-6 at home.
Gold Coast Titans Form - Titans Dangerous In Attack
The Titans pushed the Roosters in a strong contest last week and have kept the same starting side for Magic Round. Zane Harrison remains in the No.7 jersey for his second NRL game, giving Gold Coast another look at the next stage of their halves setup.
Gold Coast are averaging 21.6 points across their last five games, but the team total line of 22.5 is still reachable against this version of Newcastle. The Knights' defensive drop-off is the key part of the bet.
Gold Coast also hold strong matchup-factor advantages. They have a +314.8 Run Metres advantage against Newcastle, a +236.8 Post Contact Metres swing in the attacking comparison and a strong kicking edge. That gives them the field position base to punch through this number.
Newcastle Knights Form - Knights Points Flowing
Newcastle are the form attacking team in this matchup. They have scored 86 points over the past two weeks and Ponga has been sensational since returning from injury.
The issue is that their defensive numbers are still giving opponents a path into games. Newcastle have conceded 34.4 points per game across their last five and are allowing 27 points per game for the season, a big difference from their profile in previous years.
Marzhew is in ridiculous form with eight tries in two games, and Dylan Lucas is named in the back row where he can hit the hole off Ponga, Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe.
Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights Team News
Josh Hannay has named the same starting Titans side that faced the Roosters. Zane Harrison remains at halfback and Luke Sommerton replaces Sam Verrills on the bench.
Newcastle have made no changes to the starting side after their big win over the Dragons. Cody Hopwood moves into the 17 and Harrison Graham is again listed on the extended bench.