NRL Round 6 preview: Knights v Tigers betting tips

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NRL Round 6: Newcaslte Knights v Wests Tigers preview

Newcastle will welcome the Wests Tigers to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday in Round 6 of the NRL for a pivotal clash between two rugby league teams desperate to get back on track.

After claiming a scrappy 10-8 win in the opening round between these two sides, the Knights will be aiming to make it eight straight head-to-head wins and keep their strong home record alive.

The Knights are coming off back-to-back road losses and were shut out by the Bulldogs last week, raising fresh concerns around their attacking structure.

Despite boasting attacking weapons like Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best, Newcastle average just 10.5 points per game through the opening five rounds — the lowest in the league — yet online bookmakers still have them priced as $1.65 favourites.

The Wests Tigers have shown flashes of attacking brilliance this season but continue to battle inconsistency, particularly in their defensive line.

They’ve averaged five tries per game across their last three outings but have also conceded 72 points in their past two matches — a worrying sign as they enter enemy territory.

The Knights are 9-4 at home since the start of 2024 and have held opponents to 18 points or less in each of their last four at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have only one win in their last five visits to Newcastle and haven’t beaten the Knights since 2021.

This one shapes as a gritty arm-wrestle between two unpredictable teams, with defence likely to have the final say.

Knights vs Tigers Round 6 team news

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Kyle McCarthy
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. Brodie Jones
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Thomas Cant
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell
14. Matthew Arthur
15. Tyrone Thompson
16. Jermaine McEwen
17. Mat Croker

Newcastle have no fewer than five players ruled out this week, including halfback Jack Cogger (finger), prop Jacob Saifiti (calf), and centre James Schiller (concussion). As a result, Phoenix Crossland moves into the halves, debutants Matthew Arthur and Tyrone Thompson come onto the bench, and NSW Cup winger Kyle McCarthy earns a start.

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Starford To’a
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Terrell May
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Alex Twal
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu

The Tigers receive a triple boost with playmaker Jarome Luai returning from suspension, Jeral Skelton recovering from a hamstring injury, and Samuela Fainu cleared to play. Their inclusion means Latu Fainu and Luke Laulilii drop out, with Jack Bird shifting to the bench to make way for Fainu in the back row.

Knights vs Tigers NRL Rd 6 betting predictions

Newcastle are short NRL betting favourites despite their long injury list — largely thanks to history, home advantage, and defence. The Knights have covered the line in six of their last nine games as home favourites, and they’re 9-4 at McDonald Jones since the start of 2023. Take them at -2.5 with BetOnline.

Bradman Best looks a strong anytime try bet at $2.45 with BetOnline. The Tigers have conceded to the opposition left centre in three straight games, and Best has crossed in two of his last four home games against them.

Total points is where the value lies. The under has hit in all four Newcastle games this season, and in seven of their last nine at home. With both sides likely to play through the middle and the Knights struggling for points, under 44.5 looks a sharp bet at $1.90 with BetOnline.

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