Knights vs Bulldogs NRL Round 1 betting tips – 12/3/2021

Knights vs Bulldogs betting preview

This may look like a great game for the Newcastle Knights to kick off their 2021 NRL Premiership campaign, but it is going to be anything but. It has ‘trap’ written all over it.

The Canterbury Bulldogs have a great recent record against Newcastle, having won seven of the last eight clashes between the two teams. In the last three seasons in particular, the Doggies have travelled to the Hunter on the back of some horror form and got up each time.

Newcastle are currently on a run of three consecutive first-round wins, while Canterbury are on a slippery slope of four straight losses to start a season. The Knights are also missing Kalyn Ponga, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt and Blake Green, so this game represents a great chance for the Dogs to catch them napping again.

Key matchup: Bradman Best vs Nick Cotric

It isn’t all that often in modern rugby league where two strike centres come up against one another. It’s a position that has changed far more than anyone gives thought to, but these are two genuine young guns who hold huge keys for their respective teams’ success in 2021 battling it out first up.

Nick Cotric took the big-money deal on offer at Canterbury and comes with huge expectations, while Bradman Best recently extended his contract to reflect his market value. Both are blessed with raw power and speed and have the ability to break tackles at will. Best is $11 with NRL betting sites to score first for the home team and will no doubt be given a chance early on to break the line. Cotric is $15 to cross first, offering a bit more value, but that bigger price also reflects a team with a lot of new faces.

Newcastle Knights betting info

Starford To’a is a name that hasn’t attracted huge headlines, but he has five tries in eight career starts and looks more than comfortable in the top grade. He is a short $10 to score first, and that shows just how much the Knights love going down the left flank. Another name to watch as a good value option for anytime tryscorer is Connor Watson, who will begin his transition to lock forward. He is a relentless ball of energy and could easily pop up at the right time at the back end of halves, so the $5 is well worth a shout.

Canterbury Bulldogs betting info

The $1.90 for the Bulldogs +5.5 should be speaking to everyone looking to throw some cash down on this game. The Knights have had a horror time against the Dogs at home recently and are missing several key players, which brings a side like Canterbury right into the contest. The Dogs do have a new coach and several new faces, but they also look as though they have more points in them than previous years, meaning they might be able to do more than just grind teams down to secure wins. They already have the knack of getting into close games, so can they take the next step?

Knights vs Bulldogs team lists

Newcastle Knights

1. Tex Hoy
2. Starford To’a
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Gehamat Shibasaki
6. Kurt Mann
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitchell Barnett
13. Connor Watson
14. Sauaso Sue
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Corey Allan
2. Nick Meaney
3. Will Hopoate
4. Nick Cotric
5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6. Jake Averillo
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Ofahiki Ogden
9. Sione Katoa
10. Jack Heatherington
11. Adam Elliot
12. Corey Waddell
13. Josh Jackson
14. Bradley Deitz
15. Renouf Atoni
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Dylan Napa

Knights vs Bulldogs betting prediction

The Knights to win by 1-12 at $3 still looks the goods despite all the reasons listed above. Their forward pack is better and they have more speed through the middle of the field. Canterbury still don’t have a good option at hooker and the new spine combinations could see them a bit rusty in round one, but they should still absolutely make a game of this.

Newcastle vs Knights NRL same game multi

We will take the $151 on offer for a Knights 1-12 win into Starford To’a first tryscorer into Connor Watson anytime tryscorer.