NRL Round 8 preview: Warriors vs Knights betting tips

Best bets for Warriors v Knights

NRL Round 8: Warriors v Knights preview

The New Zealand Warriors will be looking to keep their unbeaten home streak alive when they take on the struggling Newcastle Knights in an ANZAC Day clash in Christchurch.

The Warriors are heavy favourites with the top NRL betting sites against a Knights side stuck in a four-game slump.

The Warriors returned to the winners’ list last week with a gutsy golden-point victory over the Broncos, and they’ll be confident of extending their run in front of a passionate Christchurch crowd.

Luke Metcalf was the hero with a booming match-winning penalty last week, and he’ll again be crucial to unlocking a Knights defence that has looked overwhelmed for weeks.

The Knights, on the other hand, are still searching for a spark. They’ve averaged just six points per game across their last four losses and are struggling to convert possession into points.

With just two wins from their last 17 games in New Zealand, they’ll need a huge turnaround to compete in this one.

Kalyn Ponga and the spine have looked out of sync and will need to lift significantly if they want any hope of winning at $3.45 odds with the top online bookmakers.

Warriors v Knights Rd 8 team news

New Zealand Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Taine Tuaupiki
3. Rocco Berry
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Adam Pompey
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Luke Metcalf
8. Jackson Ford
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitchell Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark
14. Leka Halasima
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Jacob Laban

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns at fullback for the Warriors, with Taine Tuaupiki shifting to the wing. Rocco Berry comes back into the centres, pushing Kurt Capewell to the second row and Leka Halasima to the bench.

Newcastle Knights

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

Dylan Lucas returns in the back row for Newcastle, pushing Thomas Cant to the interchange and Jermaine McEwen out of the squad. Jack Cogger remains on the extended bench.

• 

  Fast Payouts

Warriors v Knights Round 8 betting predictions

The Warriors have covered the line in five straight night games and should prove too strong across the park. Their forwards are dominating territory, and the Knights are struggling to score, while defending could prove a chore against a team averaging 57 red-zone tackles per game. Expect the hosts to control the tempo and win by at least nine points at $1.90 odds with BetOnline.

Luke Metcalf has crossed in four of his last five games and is growing in confidence every week. His speed through the line and support play will be dangerous around tired defenders, particularly on inside balls and broken play. At $2.75 with BetOnline, he’s great value to keep the streak going.

The Knights have gone under the points total in eight of their last nine games and are the lowest-scoring side in the NRL. The Warriors can pile on pressure without turning every set into points, which sets up for another low-scorer. With rain possible and both sides leaning on defence, this looks like an easy under at $1.90 with BetOnline.

Sports betting tips