New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
29th August 0600hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Knights -6 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even money odds taken 0600 GMT, Tuesday, 25th August
The New Zealand Warriors made it three wins in their last four games when they collected a victory over the Bulldogs last weekend.
So they have a little bit of momentum, but they may be catching the Knights at the wrong time.
The Newcastle Knights have rebounded from a little slump to post three straight league wins.
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New Zealand Warriors Preview – Can the Warriors beat the in-form Knights?
Even though the Warriors have produced a nice little burst of form, this is going to be a very hard game for them.
Last weekend the Warriors produced a 20-14 win over the Bulldogs, who are bottom of the table.
That has been indicative of much better, competitive form they have produced in the last half dozen games.
They are W3 L2 in their last five league fixtures, but both losses there against top-four sides Panthers and Roosters were by no more than eight points.
In the match outright here the Warriors are the 9/5 underdogs* (odds taken 0600 GMT, Tuesday, 25th August)
The average losing margin for the New Zealand Warriors has been 20 points this season.
So again, those recent losses against Penrith and Sydney have been good indicators of the Warriors form.
When they met the Knights for the first time this season, the Warriors were kept off the scoreboard in a 20-0 defeat.
The Warriors have matched Newcastle with three wins each in the last six meetings.
Newcastle Knights Preview – Knights look back on track
The Newcastle Knight had a little slump of form, but they are over that now with a three-match winning streak.
Last weekend they collected a 12-0 win over the Cowboys in a tricky match.
That built on recent wins over the Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers.
The Knights are averaging 21 points per game this season, far superior to that of the 14 produced on average by the Warriors.
In the defensive area, it is the Knights who come out top as well.
They have shipped an average of 16 points per NRL game this season, while the Warriors have conceded at an average of 24 points.
The Newcastle Knights are on a W9 D1 L5 record for the campaign and look to be a lock for a top-eight finish, but they are only a point outside of the top four.
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Newcastle Knights have produced an average winning margin of 14.8 points this season.
So into the handicap market for this one where things are interesting.
A -6 handicap on the Knights is at even money and that, to us, looks tremendous value* (odds taken 0600 GMT, Tuesday, 25th August).
Yes, the Warriors have played some competitive stuff in their recent matches, but this is a winnable fixture for Newcastle.
Two of their last three wins for the season would have covered that handicap line and we think it’s worth chancing.
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Betting Advice
We would expect the Newcastle Knights to come out on top in this fixture, but it may be a grind.
The confidence of the Warriors has grown the longer the season has gone on.
Yes, they only narrowly beat the bottom side in the ladder last weekend, and that’s why we can’t support them for an upset.
Key Facts – New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Betting Tip
- New Zealand Warriors have won 3 of their last 4 games
- New Zealand Warriors are W3 L3 in their last six against Newcastle
- Newcastle Knights have won their last 3 league games
A run of three wins has gotten the Knights back on track and they are looking more settled and steady now.
But while we expect the Knights to pick up the two points from the meeting, we don’t see it happening by a big margin.
The New Zealand Warriors are not going to allow that, so the -6 handicap on the Knights at evens is the pick* (odds taken 0600 GMT, Tuesday, 25th August).
The best betting odds for New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
New Zealand Warriors to win: 9/5 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Newcastle Knights to win: 11/25 at Bet365
