Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs
26th July 0500hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Bulldogs +12 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/10 odds taken 23:03 GMT, Thursday 23rd July
The Newcastle Knights produced a recovery win last weekend as they squealed one out against the Rabbitohs.
That leaves them with a mixed W3 L2 record in their last five NRL fixtures.
The Bulldogs are stuck in a massive rut at the moment as they failed against last weekend, slipping in a spirited defeat against the Dragons.
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Newcastle Knights Preview – Knights may be able to find consistency
There was a 20-18 narrow win for the Newcastle Knights last weekend over the Rabbitohs.
They have now alternated between a win and a loss in their last five games.
But this looks to be a golden opportunity for them to post back to back wins and restore some sense of consistency.
The Knights are W6 D1 3 for the season and they have done fine enough in the attacking department.
But they have conceded more points than any other team currently sat inside the top six in the ladder.
It has been an average of 16 points per game that they have conceded this season.
But when that 16 points per game is stood up against the 24 points per average that the Bulldogs have conceded, then the Knights should be fine.
There has been a big imbalance between the scoring output of the two teams this season as well.
The Newcastle Knights have averaged 20 points per game with the Bulldogs at 11 per game.
It should be a routine win for Newcastle really and they are -16 in the handicap for 11/10* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 23:10 GMT on Thursday 23rd July 2020)
Canterbury Bulldogs Preview – Bulldogs continue to struggle
It is a W1 L9 record for the Bulldogs this season as they suffered yet another defeat last weekend.
They actually threw plenty forward against the Dragons, but still came up on the losing side of a 22-28 score line.
That’s five straight league defeats now for the Bulldogs who did trade wins with the Knights last season.
Even though they are sitting at the bottom of the table the Bulldogs have the best defensive record of the bottom five actually.
But in contrast they are the lowest scoring team in the NRL this season with just 116 points on the board.
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Canterbury Bulldogs do have a strong head to head record going over the Newcastle Knights.
That’s interesting because Canterbury have won eight of the last nine meetings.
But right now they look a long way short of being able to pull that out of the bag, especially against a Knights team that has come on leaps and bounds this year.
Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs Betting Advice
The average margin of defeat for the Bulldogs this season is 16.2 per game.
That’s the best of the bottom five teams, so it may be worth leaning towards them not getting smashed out of sight.
Even though they have a good head to head record currently against the Knights, are the Bulldogs likely to take a win here? No.
Key Facts – Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs Betting Tip
- Newcastle Knights are W3 L2 in their last five games
- Newcastle Knights are stuck with just one league win this season
- Canterbury Bulldogs have won 7 of their last 8 against Newcastle
The Newcastle Knights have to be supported for the win in this one and therefore it’s all about that margin.
We don’t see huge value in pushing the Knights to cover a big margin here at all.
Instead we would swing the Bulldogs at +12 for 11/10* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 23:10 GMT on Thursday 23rd July 2020).
The best betting odds for Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Newcastle Knights to win: 2/13 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Canterbury Bulldogs to win: 9/2 at Bet365
