NRL Odds:Newcastle Knights $2.05 (+1.5) / St George Illawarra Dragons $1.78 (-1.5)
The Knights may not be playing finals footy this year, but they’ve made significant leaps in 2018 after winning the wooden-spoon two years running.
If they are to finish their season in style, Newcastle needs to do so without Kalyn Ponga, one of the best attacking players in the league.
The Knights struggle without the young-gun who has been nursing an injury for the last two weeks.
The Dragons will like their chances when they head up the freeway this week, having defeated the Knights in six of their last seven encounters.
Despite suffering a demorilizing 38-0 loss to the Bulldogs in Round 24, St George goes into this clash as the favourite, mostly due to their top-eight position on the ladder.
With finals footy just around the corner and after copping criticism from all angles throughout the week, the Red-V's star-studded forward pack will be determined to bounce back and put some puff back into the Dragons.
J Cogger (Knights ), T Starling (Knights), J Lillyman (Knights), Z Lomax (Dragons), J Field (Dragons), B Lawrie (Dragons)
L Yates (Knights ), C Watson (Knights), L Fitzgibbon (Knights), E Aitken (Dragons), J Nightingale (Dragons), J Host (Dragons)
Fine and 18 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Knights 23.1 / Dragons 16.9
Average points conceded: Knights 18.6 / Dragons 17.8
St George have won 4 of their last 5 games against Newcastle
Key NRL Betting Stats
Of the Dragons 15 wins 9 have been by a margin of 13+: Dragons 13+ @ $4.00
Aiden Guerra (2) leads the Knights in first try scorers this season: Aiden Guerra first try @ $23
Clashes at McDonald Jones Stadium have averaged 43.1 total match points: 'Over' match line of 41.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Dragons to cover the line of -1.5 @ $1.90
Reasoning: With very little to play for this week, the Knights will do well to stay in the arm-wrestle. To make things more difficult, they're without arguably their best back in Kalyn Ponga and best forward in Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
The Dragons need a win and have the cattle to do so. Look for them to pick themselves up off the canvas and prove too strong for the Knights in this one.
Missed our preview of the early Round 25 fixtures? Read it here
After an impressive first half, the Titans were only narrowly defeated by Melbourne last week, going down in an 8-10 loss at Cbus Stadium.
Considering how poor their defence has been of late, that effort would rank as one of their best this year.
Ranked 14th in the league for points conceded, the Titans defence have proven to be vulnerable, especially against the sides with larger forward packs.
The Cowboys have won their last six matches against the Titans and will be looking to make it seven in-a-row this week, sending captain Johnathan Thurston out a winner in his last NRL game.
Granted, Thurston has lost more than a yard of pace this season, but he has made up for it with his maestro-like creativity, currently leading the league with 24-try-assists.
Given his nearest rival is Titans halfback Ash Taylor, who sits on 22 try-assists; this should be a key match-up.
This is set to be a thrilling encounter between the two QLD sides given their past three encounters have been decided by 12 points or less. With all eyes on Thurston, let’s hope he produces one more memorable performance before hanging up the boots.
The Eels are coming off a heavy loss, going down to the Cowboys 44-6 in Townsville last week. In a game that was set to decide the winner of the wooden-spoon, the Eels showed little resilience and were simply out enthused by North Queensland.
A repeat of that performance would see the Eels blown off the park this week. In a boost for the blue and gold, Jarryd Hayne moves to fullback and will offer plenty of go forward in attack.
The Roosters have cemented their spot in the top-four and with a top-two finish on the line, will be looking for a much-needed win this week.
Coming off two consecutive losses, the Chooks will see this as a must win clash.
With the suspension of Dylan Napa, the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has come at a good time, ensuring the Chooks are not without an enforcer up front.
With a home semi-final on the line, you’d expect the Roosters to hit their straps and be firing on all cylinders, proving they are genuine premiership contenders.
J Maloney (Panthers)
D Whare (Panthers)
Mostly sunny and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Eels 15.8 / Roosters 21.7
Average points conceded: Eels 22.0 / Roosters 15.3
The Roosters have won 3 of their last 5 encounters with the Eels
Key NRL Betting Stats
The Roosters have covered the line at 56.5% this season: Roosters -12.5 @$1.90
Latrell Mitchell (6) leads both teams in first-try scorers this season: Latrell Mitchellfirst try scorer @ $15
Clashes at ANZ Stadium have averaged 36.3 total match points: 'Under' match line of 44.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Roosters to cover the line of -12.5@$1.90
Reasoning: For the Eels to be competitive with the Roosters they'll need to improve significantly from last weeks efforts.
The Chooks are desperate for a win and you'd expect them to put plenty of points on the Eels who have likely clocked off for the year.
Aug 31, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
J Cogger (Knights ), T Starling (Knights), J Lillyman (Knights), Z Lomax (Dragons), J Field (Dragons), B Lawrie (Dragons)
L Yates (Knights ), C Watson (Knights), L Fitzgibbon (Knights), E Aitken (Dragons), J Nightingale (Dragons), J Host (Dragons)
Fine and 18 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Key NRL Betting Stats
NRL Betting Tip: Dragons to cover the line of -1.5 @ $1.90 
