2021 NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Thursday 22nd April, 2021 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights taking place? BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Where can I get tickets for Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Crichton, Staines, Momirovski, Burton, To’o, Luai, Cleary, Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Capewell, Yeo – Interchanges: May, Leniu, Eisenhuth, Martin – Reserves: Sorensen, Jennings, Koroisau, Edwards
Unavailable:
- Penrith Panthers continued their hot streak to begin the NRL season as they made it six wins from six but the side at the top of the ladder were given an almighty scare as they failed to put Brisbane Broncos away until the closing stages.
- The Broncos were fired up and took the game to the Panthers in what was arguably Penrith’s most disappointing display of the season so far but as they look to produce an improved showing this time out, they will hope to have Api Koroisau and Dylan Edwards back from injury.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Ponga, To’a, Tuala, Best, Musgrove, Mann, Green, Klemmer, Brailey, D. Saifiti, Frizell, Barnett, Watson – Interchanges: Sue, J. Saifiti, King, Jones – Reserves: Sasagi, Saulo, Shibasaki, Crossland
Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Injured), Jirah Momoisea (Injured), Bailey Hodgson (Injured), Mitchell Pearce (Injured), Tex Hoy (Injured), Dom Young (Injured), Chris Randall (Injured), Hymel Hunt (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights ended a three-match losing run thanks to a narrow success over Cronulla Sharks last week with Kalyn Ponga’s late try securing the victory for his side but they will face a huge task to back that up as they face leaders Penrith.
- The Knights did well to see off the Sharks in that contest despite seeing just 45% of the ball and they may find themselves needing to dig deep once again with the Panthers averaging 5% higher possession per game than Newcastle so far this season.
THE PREDICTION
Penrith Panthers were able to maintain their 100% start to the season despite being given a scare by Brisbane Broncos last week. Nathan Cleary’s two-point field goal edged the Panthers ahead before the halfback’s try sealed the win in the final minutes but they will be relieved to edge a tight affair, especially knowing that they did not play to their best. They now take on a Newcastle Knights side that won for the first time in four matches last week as they narrowly overcame Cronulla Sharks but they too will need to be much better here. The Panthers have won their last 12 matches at BlueBet Stadium and with the Knights winning just one of their last seven on the road, Penrith should be comfortable victors here and they can come out on top by 13+ points.
