The last remaining spot in the 2013 grand final will be decided when Sydney Roosters take on Newcastle Knights.

After two surprise losses in rounds 23 and 24, Sydney bounced back to their best with a comprehensive victory over South Sydney in the final round of the regular season, in which they claimed the minor premiership in the process, before last week, defeating Manly 4 – 0 in what was a magnificent clash and highlighted the Roosters defence – which has been their biggest asset all year.

[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]

With the week off to their advantage, the Roosters look well placed to make it three successive victories over Newcastle this year after accounting for the Knights 28 – 12 in round 20 and 24 – 6 in round 9.

Newcastle snuck into the year’s finals (finishing seventh) after wins against Brisbane and Parramatta in the final two weeks of the regular season but has taken full advantage of their opportunities by defeating Canterbury comprehensively in week 1 of the finals, before travelling to Melbourne, where they hadn’t won since 2004, and as outsiders, claiming the scalp of the Storm.

With nothing to lose and four straight wins behind them, they’ll present plenty of problems for the Roosters.

It was Newcastle’s hardened and experienced forward pack that laid the foundation for the recent success but up against the Roosters pack, that have been dominate all year and who will welcome back key forward Jared Waera-Hargreaves from suspension, the Knights will have to lift again.

The Roosters have kept Newcastle to only three tries in their two games this year and after momentary lapses in the last few rounds, the Roosters have displayed in their two most recent matches that their defence is back to its best.

With the likes of Sonny-Bill and Boyd Cordner set to ask plenty of questions in attack on the edge of Newcastle’s ruck, the Roosters should pack too many guns.

Instead of taking the short price about them here, jump on the $2.50 for next week’s grand final which is now on offer.

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

Sydney Roosters	1.35	1.33	1.30	1.33	1.35	1.34
Newcastle Knights	3.30	3.45	3.60	3.45	3.30	3.25

Teams:

Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Aidan Guerra, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Mitchell Aubusson, Isaac Liu, Luke O’Donnell, Dylan Napa, Martin Kennedy (two to be omitted)

Newcastle Knights
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Joey Leilua, Dane Gagai, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alago, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith
Interchange: Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Alex McKinnon

Referees: Shayne Hayne/Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton/Justin Morgan