Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 13 match is between Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:35 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. The home team Parramatta Eels are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights.
When: 19:35 | Saturday 02/06/2018
Where: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
Let’s face it, this game doesn’t meet the hype of others but an opportunity for one of them to desperately get two points.
The Knights were very ordinary last week and will be looking for a much-improved game while the Eels had some good patches against the Broncos.
For the Knights, their only real threat looks to be their ace fullback Kalyn Ponga.
His performances to date have been electric.
For the Knights to be a chance, he’ll need a lot more help from his playmakers.
Connor Watson and youngster Jack Cogger need to stand up and be counted.
On paper, it looks to be a mismatch as the Eels have a wealth of players in their team.
A real must win game for the home side.
The change of the spine last week putting Corey Norman back to fullback looked impressive and Clint Gutherson to no.6.
KEY BATTLE: Clint Gutherson v Connor Watson
As I said, Watson has to lend a hand to Ponga if they’re any chance while Gutherson is the infectious player that can really provide.
The Verdict
Parra to claim a third win.
Newcastle are 23-32 (41.8 percent) as an away team since 2014 in the ‘Yes (To Lose Both Halves)’ market.
Unibet Odds:
Parramatta at $1.61
Newcastle at $2.35
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Parramatta Eels at $1.47
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Josh Hoffman at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Parramatta Eels:
1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Manu Ma’u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Peni Terepo
Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Suaia Matagi, 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore
Reserves: 18 Nathan Brown, 19 Kirisome Auva’a, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Kane Evans.
Newcastle Knights: 
1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitchell Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra (c)
Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Josh King
Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 19 Brent Naden, 20 Nicholas Meaney, 21 Patrick Mata’utia.
NRL News:
It may have been another heartbreaking loss for Parramatta but coach Brad Arthur reckons he may have found their winning formula in their 18-10 NRL defeat in Brisbane.
The Eels slumped to a 2-10 season start on Thursday night after little went right for the visitors.
Centre Michael Jennings bombed two tries when he dropped the ball over the line and Bevan French crashed over in the 75th minute, only to be called back due to a forward pass.
Yet Arthur could see light at the end of the tunnel after his gamble to swap fullback Clint Gutherson and pivot Corey Norman worked.
Arthur said he would stick with the combination after Norman looked dangerous at No.1 despite nursing a foot complaint while co-captain Gutherson revelled in his hands-on role at five-eighth.
Norman was playing fullback for the first time since round 19, 2015.
He threatened to break the game open when he set up Tepai Moeroa early, only to be held up then later looked to have sent French try-bound before officials ruled a forward pass.
“I am (sticking with the position switch). They were busy and they were in the game – I thought they were both good,” Arthur said.
“Normie put a pass on for Tep (Moeroa) there early when Tep got held up over the line and we dropped two over the line.
“With 15 minutes to go (Norman) probably should have come off. He was carrying a foot injury but he wanted to stay out there.”
Gutherson said the positional change agreed with him.
“It didn’t change too much for me. I just got my hands on the ball a lot more which I liked,” he said.
“I had to make few more tackles but I liked it. I got to get into the game a bit more and stamp my authority.
“And Normie is a footy player, he will play well wherever he is. He was excellent at the back – he had a silky touch back there.”
It marked Parramatta’s fourth straight loss.
The Eels have also lost their past eight away games.
“We wanted to see them play for each other and they did,” Arthur said.
“The game comes down to taking your chances and when we are down and out like we are at the moment, we are not nailing them.
“But I thought we played really well. It sounds silly but it’s the truth.
“We’ve just got to make sure we don’t give up, we keep coming with the right attitude and make it (fortunes) turn.”
