Accor Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 18 NRL game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday July 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm

Where: Accor Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights Odds

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights Preview

While both are realistically done as far as the Top 8 picture goes, the loser of this 14th versus 15th encounter can definitely start making September holiday plans.

The 5-10 Canterbury Bulldogs have won just two of their last 10 and incurred increasingly heavy defeats to the Roosters (25-24), Eels (34-12) and Sharks (48-10) in between two recent byes.

Injuries have played their part, but the Bulldogs’ lack of defensive resolve under rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo has been the most disappointing aspect of the campaign.

The 5-1-9 Newcastle Knights’ hopes have faded courtesy of a three-match losing run, earning plenty of admirers after being run down by the Broncos 24-20 but sinking to disappointing losses to the Origin-hampered Roosters (18-16) and Panthers (20-12).

The Bulldogs have replaced five-eighth Karl Oloapu with fellow rookie Khaled Rajab, while Max King, Harrison Edwards, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jackson Topine all return.

Dane Gagai (foot) is out for the Knights and will be replaced by Enari Tuala. Lachlan Fitzgibbon comes back from concussion for Dylan Lucas.

Canterbury has won nine of its last 13 against Newcastle, snapping a three-game losing run in the rivalry with a 24-10 victory at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 20 last year. The Knights last beat the Bulldogs in Sydney in 2013.

Something of a lottery, but the Knights have at least been competitive every week and with Adam O’Brien’s job potentially on the line expect to see more desperation from the visitors.

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