Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Verdict
The Knights are in hot form and can make it four straight wins when they host out of sorts Manly, who have lost six in a row. Back Newcastle to cover a -6.5 line and scoring 29+ points in the process.
- Knights have won their last three games
- Knights have scored 30+ points in all three of those wins
- Manly have lost their last six games
- Manly have leaked 38+ points in three of their last four games
- Manly have lost by 22+ points in their last three games
- Kalyn Ponga has scored a try in four of his last five games & crossed vs Manly in R2
- Tyson Frizell starts in the second-row for this game & scored vs Manly in R2
Head To Head
Newcastle have won three of the last four meetings, including a dominant 20-point win in Round 2 earlier this season.
Newcastle Knights Form
After a three-match losing run in which they lost by a combined five points against the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Roosters, the Knights have returned to winning ways, establishing their top eight status in the process.
Newcastle eased past the Broncos 30-6 before edging out Canberra 30-24 in the nation's capital.
Justin Holbrook's side should have closed out the Titans by a bigger margin, but conceded two late tries in a 36-26 victory last week.
Ponga was on fire, topping the run metre charts with 240 and making three line breaks. Fletcher Sharpe, Dane Gagai and Greg Marzhew all scored doubles.
Manly Sea Eagles Form
It's been a rollercoaster season for Manly and they're in the midst of a big drop to end the campaign.
Despite everything, Manly are still mathematically in the finals hunt, four points outside of the eight with a differential of +46.
Kieran Foran stepped in for Anthony Seibald and instantly sparked the volatile club, with Manly going on a run of seven wins from eight games.
However, the honeymoon period is officially over, with the Sea Eagles currently on a six-game losing skid that doesn't look like stopping anytime soon.
After leaking 38+ points in heavy defeats to the Titans, Sharks and Storm, Manly's attack misfired in a 22-0 defeat to the Dolphins at home last week.
Despite everything, Manly are still mathematically in the finals hunt, four points outside of the eight with a differential of +46.
Knights vs Sea Eagles Team News
Bradman Best returns from a calf injury, replacing Dane Gagai, who is out with a hamstring issue.
Francis Manuleleua is out with concussion, so Tyson Frizell comes into the starting side. Jacob Saifiti is also back after a six-game absence.
Big in for Manly, with Tom Trbojevic returning from another hamstring setback, with Clayton Faulalo shifting to five-eighth in place of Joey Walsh, who is out with a hairline fracture to his jaw. Caleb Navale will come off the bench for his first NRL game of the year.