BlueBet Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 22 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday August 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Where: BlueBet Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Odds
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Preview
Newcastle Knights are still in the finals mix, but they need a form reversal coming off the bye and they face the toughest assignment in the NRL this Sunday, a road trip to take on the rampant, Nathan Cleary-led Penrith Panthers.
The second-placed Panthers have emerged from the arduous Origin period and welcomed Cleary back into the drivers seat.
He started with an incredible golden point field goal as a severely depleted side edged the Dolphins in Round 20, then scored a hat-trick in a 46-10 beatdown of the Dragons.
The Panthers will be without James Fisher-Harris (groin), which sees Lindsay Smith start and Matt Eisenhuth join the bench.
Isaiah Iongi will make his NRL debut at fullback with Daine Laurie joining Dylan Edwards on the sidelines.
The Knights have the look of a team about to fade miserably out of the Top 8 race, winning just two of their last seven.
They went into the bye on the back of heavy losses to Manly away (44-6) and Brisbane at home (30-14).
Adam OBrien has dropped Jackson Hastings, with Phoenix Crossland thrown into the No.7 and Jayden Brailey restored to the starting hooker role.
Dylan Lucas goes to centre for the injured Bradman Best and Adam Elliott returns from injury. Jack Cogger comes onto the bench.
The Knights boast just one win from their last 15 matches against the Panthers and have lost the last six straight though the margin in the past three was eight or less, including a 26-18 result in Newcastle in Round 15.
Conceding 24-plus points in seven of their last eight games is a less than ideal trend heading into a visit to Penrith.
The Panthers are in the zone and looking to consolidate a top-two finish a landslide looms.
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Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.12 odds.
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Panthers team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Luron Patea 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Luke Sommerton
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Thomas Cant 19. Brodie Jones 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi
