Two teams rooted to the bottom third of the ladder go head-to-head in the first Friday night clash of the week, with the Newcastle Knights hosting the Gold Coast Titans. With Kalyn Ponga ruled out, the Titans simply must use this opportunity to secure 2 valuable competition points and snap their 5-match losing streak.
With two of the worst attacks going head-to-head, this could be another nomination for ‘worst game of the year’, especially considering the weather is predicted to be wet all day in Newcastle on Friday.
As always, stay tuned throughout the 2022 NRL season to get the best betting value when taking on the bookies, with our NRL Tips page previewing all the NRL matches in 2022.
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans
McDonald Jones Stadium, Friday 1st July, 6:00pm (AEST)
Squads
Newcastle Knights
1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann. INTERCHANGE: 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Leo Thompson 16. Mathew Croker 17. Pasami Saulo. RESERVES: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 20. Bradman Best 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Daniel Saifiti
Gold Coast Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Paul Turner 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. David Fifita. RESERVES: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Herman Ese’ese 20. Aaron Booth 21. Kevin Proctor 22. Sosefo Fifita
Match Preview
Both teams are coming off losses from last week from winning positions, with this becoming a bit of a trend for the Titans of late. With only 3 wins between them over their past 20 games, these sides are both looking at a premature end to season 2022. The Titans currently sit in last place, with only themselves and the Tigers on 3 wins. A bad loss here against a struggling Knights outfit will surely be curtains on their season, and potentially the coaching tenure of Head Coach Justin Holbrook.
Adam O’Brien is equally on the hot seat, and with superstar Kalyn Ponga out this week, will be relying heavily on his forward pack to get the Knights over the line. With Daniel Saifiti potentially back this week, the Knights will boast a full-strength forward pack that could cause the Titans some concern. The Titans have averaged the most metres against each week, concede the second most post contact metres, and give up the highest average metres per set in the league. Can the Knights, who are in the bottom two of these categories in attack, take advantage? Or will this be a rather slow, boring slugfest that is played between the 20s?
I lean towards a low scoring affair, something like these teams’ last encounter in round 24 last season, where the Knights prevailed 15-14. Both sides struggle scoring points, and with Ponga missing for the Knights, the attacking flair of the Knights is diminished. There is also the information of potential wet weather during the game, which could make scoring even more difficult.
With all teams having last week off, fatigue shouldn’t be a factor in defence, suggesting under is the play for tonight. I also maintain the handicap that early Friday games are generally low scoring, particularly for the visiting team. This is why I also really like the Titans team total under.
Prop Bets:
Gold Coast Under 18.5 Points ($1.87 at TopSport)
Gold Coast 1st Half Winner ($2.10 at Palmebet)
Under 40.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
