Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Newcastle’s ability to play to their strengths has helped to offset the absence of both Trey Mooney and Jacob Saifiti in recent weeks. They’ve been a shift-happy team all season but to reproduce that style under the pressure of finals footy is a credit to the Knights players and coaching staff.  

It’s been a hell of a run for Newcastle but I’m tipping the fairytale to end here.  

Where South Sydney and New Zealand failed to expose the Knights thinning forward rotation, expect Penrith to be far more clinical. 

Their system is predicated on putting fatigue into the opposition middle and setting the game up early to win it late. Look for Nathan Cleary to constantly tip forward runners back against the grain in yardage and good-ball, testing the Knights ruck until the spaces appear.  

When they eventually do, the points might come out wide but it’ll start with the work of Cleary around the ruck.  

In defence, the Panthers system also profiles well against Newcastle’s greatest strength this year; their willingness and ability to shift the ball out of the back field.  

Penrith have set the modern trend for getting high and staying high on the edges to either force the ball back infield or dare you to make the pressure pass. When the Knights look to move the ball from their own side of halfway on Sunday, they must be prepared to do so in the face of a rushing defence.  

Tips: Penrith Panthers to Cover the Line (-10.5) @ $1.90

Anytime Tryscorer: Blaize Talagi @ $3, Nathan Cleary @ $3.95, Greg Marzhew @ $2.65