Panthers vs Knights NRL Rd 3 tips & value bets – 26/3/2022

In what shapes up to be arguably the game of the round, the Newcastle Knights travel to Bathurst this Saturday to take on the Penrith Panthers at Carrington Park. Anyone willing to bet the Knights would sit atop the Panthers after two rounds this season would have backed a huge price, but that is the case after two straight wins to the Novocastrian side. Given Penrith’s form over recent years, it’s easy to think they’d have the wood over Newcastle historically, yet the Knights have won on 19 occasions in 37 matches. Last year Penrith won by 18 points following a draw in May 2020.

Newcastle have begun their 2022 NRL season in incredible fashion. Despite the loss of Mitchell Pearce to Catalans Dragons, and hooker Jayden Brailey to injury prior to the season start, Newcastle beat a star-studded Roosters side at the SCG before wiping the floor with the Wests Tigers at home. Many tipped all Newcastle success to rest firmly on the shoulders of new club captain Kalyn Ponga, but in his lone game against Easts, Ponga recorded no tries, try assists, line breaks or line break assists. Jake Clifford has been one of the stars of the Newcastle outfit, scoring two tries already, but also making multiple plays that don’t show on a stat sheet that put his team in winning position.

Penrith have won six games from nine at Carrington Park, and despite the losses of Brian To’o and Moses Leota through injury, the Panthers have two names in their squad that have raised eyebrows since team lists were announced. One is young gun winger Taylan May, shaped in the mould of Brian To’o, who has been making a huge name for himself in NSW Cup. In only 13 games May has scored seven tries, and this season alone he’s broken nine tackles in two games with a try and a try assist. The other name is in the extended bench; the ‘Prince of Penrith’, Nathan Cleary, is named in jersey 24, opening the door to return to the NRL from a shoulder injury.

Key matchup: Panthers pack vs Knights pack

The key battle in this match will be that of the forward packs. In both of Newcastle’s wins so far this season, the way they’ve dominated possession and controlled the ball has paved a way for Jake Clifford to guide this side to wins. NSW enforcer Daniel Saifiti returns to start in the front row with twin brother Jacob, while Tyson Frizell will look to continue his incredible form so far this season in combination with Mitch Barnett in the back row. Taking down a Penrith pack boasting ultimate alpha James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo won’t be easy, but this Newcastle side looks as likely as any so far this season.

Panthers vs Knights predictions & best bets

The Newcastle Knights have had an incredible start to 2022 and it would not shock us to see that continue. Kalyn Ponga and Daniel Saifiti return to a team that’s already flying, while the Panthers have less experience in their outside backs than they’ve had in a long time. Newcastle can go on to win this game and Bradman Best will score a try in the process. Put those two bets into a same-game multi at Sportsbet for a $6.75 return.

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