2019 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Sunday 28th April, 07:05
Where is Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels taking place? McDonald Jones Stadium
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels?
Newcastle Knights – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500003
Parramatta Eels – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500031
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Starting 13: Ponga, Lee, Hunt, Ramien, Kenny-Dowall, Watson, Pearce, Klemmer, Levi, Gavet, Fitzgibbon, Barnett, Glasby – Interchanges: Ese’ese, D. Saifiti, King, Mata’utia – Reserves: Buher, Lino
Unavailable: Slade Griffin, Jacob Saifiti, Aidan Guerra
- Newcastle suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of Gold Coast with the Knights now going without a win since Round 1 and now face a buoyant Parramatta side in a big game for the Knights.
- Connor Watson has retained the starting job at five-eighth with Mason Lino amongst the reserves but despite initially naming an unchanged 17, Jamie Buhrer is a late casualty with Sione Mata’utia given the nod on the bench.
- The Knights have had many issues so far this season but one in particular has been their inability to get up the field with them managing an average of just 1487 metres per game which is the third-lowest in the NRL.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Takairangi, Ferguson, Salmon, Moses, Terepo, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Niukore, Moeroa – Interchanges: Mannah, Kaufusi, Stone, Ma’u – Reserves: Hoffman, G. Jennings
Unavailable: Kaysa Pritchard, Nathan Brown, Will Smith, Dylan Brown, Daniel Alvaro
- Parramatta began life at Bankwest Stadium with a sensational win over Wests Tigers with the Eels racking up 51 points in a huge win and now head to Newcastle full of confidence of improving to 5-2.
- Blake Ferguson has been named to return for the Eels after missing out with a rib injury last week but will have to prove his fitness with Josh Hoffman making way whilst Daniel Alvaro is out with concussion but Manu Ma’u is fit enough to return in a big boost for Parramatta.
- After last week’s superb win, it’s not too surprising that the Eels have amassed the second highest number of points per game so far this season with 24.8, sitting just behind competition leaders Sydney Roosters who have scored an average of 25.9 per game.
THE PREDICTION
Parramatta should be able to take plenty of confidence from their impressive showing against Wests Tigers. The Eels played with a lot of energy and ran amok with them now facing struggling Newcastle. The Knights have started the season terribly and it could get worse with the Eels winning here. Newcastle have struggled on both sides of the ball with their defence struggling but they their attack hasn’t been right all season and has been their major downfall. If the Eels turn up with the same energy as last week and attack straight down the middle, they will be comfortable winners again.
