McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 26 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Gold Coast Titans game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday September 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans Preview
Results earlier in the round may prove deflating for Newcastle, but a home win on Sunday against out-of-contention Gold Coast nevertheless keeps the Knights in with a sniff of nabbing eighth spot.
The Knights bounced back from an agonising golden point loss at Cronulla with a solid 36-16 away win over South Sydney, with Dane Gagai and recalled five-eighth Jack Cogger both scoring two tries.
Newcastle gets a huge boost with Origin centre Bradman Best returning, allowing Dylan Lucas to go to the back-row for an injured Kai Pearce-Paul. Brodie Jones starts for Tyson Frizell (concussion) with Thomas Cant joining the interchange.
The Titans compelling bid to make a late finals charge has unravelled, conceding 124 points in losing their last three games against the Sharks, Dragons and Roosters. There was at least some attacking enterprise in a 48-22 loss to the Roosters last Sunday, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring three tries.
Phil Sami takes the place of AJ Brimson in the centres in the Titans sole change.
The Knights have won four of their last five against the Titans, including a 28-24 thriller in Magic Round this season. Meanwhile, the Titans have not won in Newcastle since 2016.
Newcastle remains an unconvincing proposition. But the Knights have done a fair job of putting a score on struggling teams and should be favoured to get the job done against a Titans team that has regressed to old defensive habits.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans Tip
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.28 odds.
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Adam Elliott 14. Will Pryce 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Thomas Cant 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. David Armstrong 22. Thomas Jenkins
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Josiah Pahulu 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Arama Hau 22. Jaylan De Groot