Saturday has three NRL matches with the third game for Round 8 is between Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 7:30pm local time. The game is to be played at ANZ Stadium with the favourite for the match being Canterbury Bulldogs. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights.

Where and when: Saturday, Apr 26, ANZ Stadium, FOX, 7:30pm

[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”400″ src=”https://www.sportsnews.com.au/nrl/match.php?id=3135257″]

Odds Comparison:

Canterbury Bulldogs	1.48	1.45	1.44	1.45	1.48	1.45
Newcastle Knights	2.75	2.85	2.85	2.85	2.75	2.75

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

Unbelievably, the Bulldogs recorded their third consecutive one-point win last week when defeating South Sydney 15 – 14.

The win now sees the Bulldogs, who have the superior for and against, sitting at the top of the table with West Tigers, Manly and Titans, on five wins from seven matches.

With scores locked up late in the match, South Sydney had the perfect field goal opportunity but didn’t even get to take the shot after poor decisions left them running the ball on the last tackle.

The Bulldogs, with the experience of the previous fortnight, were not so wasteful and worked for and converted their opportunity in an efficient manner.

These wins have the Bulldogs full of confidence at the moment and with Hodkinson, who slotted the winning field goal for the second time last week, in fine form with the boot, the Bulldogs are going to be a tough side for any team to roll, especially one that his trying to find form such as this week’s opponents, the Newcastle Knights.

The Knights continued a month of inconsistent performances with a poor loss to Brisbane last week 32 – 6.

More was expected from the Knigths who were playing at home for the first time in three weeks and coming off an upset win over the Canberra Raiders in round 7.

Brisbane scored early and proved a hard defensive unit to crack, holding the Knights up over the line on four occasions in the first half and producing twelve try-saving tackles for the match.

[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”330″ src=”https://www.sportsnews.com.au/odds/nrl/match.php?id=1280995&sb”]

Newcastle head into this match desperate for a win and some sign that their season will be still be alive heading into the second half of the year however, it’s hard to find from where the improvement needed, will come.

They named a full-strength side last week and come up against another strong defensive unit this week.

Giving the Knights some hope will be their recent record against the Bulldogs. They have won four of the last five matches and the last three in succession. Visiting ANZ Stadium should hold no fears for them either, having won the two most recent clashes at this venue by margins of 16 and 14 points.

Despite the stats though, it’s hard to tip the Knights in their current form against a Bulldogs outfit that, against stronger opposition than the Knights, having been finding ways to win.

Bulldogs here and probably cover the line in the process.

Teams:

Canterbury Bulldogs:
Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Timoteo Lafai, Mitch Brown, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Dale Finucane. Interchange: Greg Eastwood, David Klemmer, Tim Browne, Sam Kasiano, Moses Mbye, Pat O’Hanlon
Ins: Moses Mbye, Pat O’Hanlon
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Frank Pritchard (pectoral, season), Chase Stanley (shoulder, round nine)

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Jake Mamo, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Zane Tetevano, Beau Scott, Chris Houston, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Adam Clydsdale, Korbin Sims, Adam Cuthbertson, Robbie Rochow
Ins: Kade Snowden
Outs: Willie Mason (suspension, round 10)
Other unavailables: Akuila Uate (knee, round 10), Alex McKinnon (neck, season), Clint Newton (bicep, season), Timana Tahu (knee, round 10), Matt Minto (hamstring, indefinite)

News:

Newcastle have re-signed blockbusting centre Joey Leilua for two more NRL seasons, keeping him at the club until the end of 2016.

The former Sydney Rooster has been a key figure in the Knights’ backline since joining the club last season.

“Joey got a chance to come here and play and we are elated we have been able to re-sign him,” coach Wayne Bennett said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Everyone is realising how much Joey has achieved in his 18 months at the Knights, he has a wonderful skill level and is only going to get better.

“It completes a backline for us with a good mix of youth and experience, and plenty of entertainment value in it.

“Over the next couple of years, this young backline will certainly come into its own in the game while also providing a real stability at the club.”

The Samoan international and former NSW 18th man has put behind him a series of off field incidents that resulted in him leaving the Roosters to succeed in the Hunter.

The 22-year-old said he was happy to secure his future.

“I am really happy to re-sign with the Knights,” Leilua said.

“I am looking forward to the next few years and just want to thank the club for the opportunity,”