Expecting a full house at Hunter Stadium this Sunday and rightly so as the home-side, who need a win to keep their final aspirations alive, host the most in-form team of the competition at the moment in Melbourne.

The Knights haven’t been able to get the better of the Storm in their past six clashes with their last win coming way back in round 23, 2009.

Newcastle, who sit in seventh spot on the ladder, one competition point in front of both the Titans and Raiders, have fought hard to keep their season alive in the past three weeks.

They snatched a draw against Brisbane in round 21 before last week, again producing the goods late in the game to score a two point win over the Sharks.

They will not be able to leave it until the last minute this week against a Storm side that, in the past two weeks, have produced their best efforts of the season in demolishing the Raiders and last week, South Sydney.

They’ve scored a combined 94 points in the past two games and appear to have their swagger back after an indifferent State of Origin period.

Melbourne had to come from behind when recording their most recent win over Newcastle back in round 14 of this year (16 – 14) and whilst the Knights will give a good account of themselves again, Melbourne are going to well at the momentum for them to hold out.

TIP: STORM -6.5

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

Newcastle Knights	2.75	2.75	2.85	2.75	2.75	2.75
Melbourne Storm	1.45	1.45	1.44	1.45	1.45	1.45

Teams:

Newcastle Knights: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Chris Houston, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, David Fa’alogo, Neville Costigan, Alex McKinnon, Craig Gower

Melbourne Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Justin O’Neill, Mahe Fonua, Brett Finch, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, Kenneath Bromwich, Slade Griffin