Despite languishing at the bottom of the table with only two wins from eight games this season, and suffering a 30 – 8 defeat at the hands of their opponents this week in the opening round of the season, the Newcastle Knights head into this game as the warm favourites.

Where and when: Hunter Stadium, Sunday, May 11 2:00pm

Punters believe the last encounter between the two, the first time the Panthers had beaten the Knights in three years and six matches, can be overturned with the Knights who are playing at home for only the fourth time this year, fielding their strongest line-up of the year.

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After 32 – 6 loss to Brisbane, a score-line that could’ve read much closer given the Knights were held-up over the line four times, the Knights pushed current competition co-leaders the Bulldogs all the way in Round 8, losing 16 – 12.

The Knights led until the last ten minutes of the game but as the Bulldogs have shown several times this year, they are almost possible to beat in a tight finish.

Penrith have four from their eight games this year but as yet, are yet to win consecutive games. If that pattern continues this weekend, they are due for a win after having loss 20 – 24 to Cronulla in round 8.

It was a late try to Sharks’ five-eight Jeff Robson that sunk the Panthers last round, and although all by narrow margins, it was their third loss away from home for them this year from four games.

In fact, it was the fifth occasion this season that the Panthers have been involved in a match decided by a margin of six points or less.

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Like the Knights, the Panthers have named a full-strength side which should make this game, closer than the current market would indicate.

In the past ten matches, Newcastle have led at half-time nine times and if keen on the home-side, the half-time/full-time double ($2.00) might had a bit more to them.

Odds Comparison:

Newcastle Knights	1.60	1.61	1.59	1.61	1.60	1.60
Penrith Panthers	2.40	2.35	2.40	2.35	2.40	2.35

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

Teams:

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alogo, Kurt Gidley (c), Kade Snowden, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Adam Cuthbertson. Interchange: Adam Clydsdale, Korbin Sims, Chris Houston, Matt Hilder
Ins: Akuila Uate, Matt Hilder
Outs: Jake Mamo (dropped), Zane Tetevano (club suspension, indefinite)
Other unavailables: Willie Mason (suspension, round 10), Alex McKinnon (neck, season), Clint Newton (bicep, round 15), Timana Tahu (knee, round 10), Jeremy Smith (knee, indefinite)

Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, David Simmons, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Josh Mansour, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Nigel Plum, Kevin Kingston, Brent Kite, Tyrone Peachey, Sika Manu, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Sam McKendry, Matt Robinson, Jeremy Latimore
Ins: Matt Robinson, Sam McKendry
Outs: Tim Grant (calf, round 12), Elijah Taylor (knee, round 14)
Other unavailables: Lewis Brown (pectoral, round 12), George Jennings (dislocated elbow, season), Wes Naiqama (ankle, round 12), Shaun Spence (knee, indefinite), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (foot, round 12)