Penrith and Newcastle sit on 16 competition points, along with Gold Coast and Canberra so a win here is vital as a loss, would more than likely, see the defeated side fall outside of the eight after this weekend.

Since their win over Melbourne back in round 9, Penrith have won five of their seven matches.

After comfortable victories over St. George and Gold Coast, Penrith had to fight harder to secure last week’s 17 – 10 win over Parramatta.

Not their best performance over the past month was last week and they’ll have to improve against better quality opposition in Newcastle this week – a side they haven’t been able to get the better of in the past three encounters.

After thumping a disappointing Gold Coast (46 – 16), Newcastle produced one of their better efforts of the season in round 17 when beating Canterbury 18 – 12.

It was only their second win away from home this season and with a bunch of teams on similar competition points as them, one Newcastle sorely needed.

Last time these two sides met was in round 6 this year, with Newcastle recording an 8 – 6 win. It was the second time in the past three clashes that a small total match points tally was produced and, with a lot on the line for both sides here, expecting to see another tight contest.

Penrith have 5 -3 winning record at home this year, compared to Newcastle’s poor away record of 2 – 6, that might be enough to see the Panthers home.

TIP: PENRITH 1 – 12

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

Penrith Panthers	1.95	1.95	1.96	1.95	1.95	1.97
Newcastle Knights	1.85	1.85	1.88	1.85	1.85	1.86

Teams:

Penrith Panthers:

Matt Moylan, James Roberts, Brad Tighe, Dean Whare, David Simmons, Isaac John, Luke Walsh, Mose Masoe, Kevin Kingston (capt), Tim Grant, Clint Newton, Lewis Brown, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Cameron Ciraldo, Jeremy Latimore, Ryan Simpkins.

Newcastle Knights:

Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen (capt), Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Craig Gower, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Korbin Sims, Zane Tetevano (one to be omitted).

Referees: Ashley Klein, Adam Devcich.