Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: NRL Round 17, 2024

Modified Jun 29, 2024 10:08 IST

The Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels play on Saturday, June 29, at the McDonald Jones Stadium in the NRL Round 17. Both sides are coming off a bye and will be eyeing a win after losing out in their previous outings.

The Knights are on a three-game losing streak and lost to the Penrith Panthers in Round 15. The Eels, meanwhile, lost their last two games, including a 10-point defeat to the Sydney Roosters.

Although both sides are in similar poor form, Newcastle are the slight favorites in this encounter. While Parramatta haven't won a game on the road this term, the Knights have three home wins.

However, head-to-head records show that the Eels haven't lost to the Knights in five games. All five wins came with Parramatta being the away side. Nevertheless, Newcastle shouldn't expect a stroll in the park on Saturday.

The odds slightly favor a Newcastle win, which is fair, considering Parramatta's rock-bottom position. Nevertheless, the Eels have produced positive results when least expected, like in Round 13 when they beat the Cronulla Sharks. If they give their best, they could overpower the Knights.

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Form Guide

Newcastle Knights Form Guide (WWLLL): The Newcastle Knights are 12th in the NRL ladder.

Parramatta Eels Form Guide (LLWLL): The Parramatta Eels are 17th in the NRL ladder.

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Team News

Newcastle Knights

Injured: Dylan Lucas (Hamstring), Kalyn Ponga (Foot), Tyson Gamble (Foot)

Suspended: none

Parramatta Eels

Injured: Haze Dunster (Foot), Bailey Simonsson (Knee), Kelma Tuilagi (Thumb), Ofahiki Ogden (Pec), J'maine Hopgood (Back), Arthur Miller-Stephen (Knee)

Suspended: none

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Predicted Lineups

Newcastle Knights

Backs: Fletcher Sharpe, Bradman Best, Enari Tuala, Jackson Hastings, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Will Pryce

Forwards: Kai Pearce-Paul, Leo Thompson, Phoenix Crossland, Jacob Saifiti, Tyson Frizell, Adam Elliott

Interchange: Mat Croker, Daniel Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Brodie Jones

Reserves: Jack Hetherington, Krystian Mapapalangi

Parramatta Eels

Backs: Clinton Gutherson, Will Penisini, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Sean Russell. Blaize Talagi

Forwards: Shaun Lane, Brendan Hands, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Joe Ofahengaue, Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Interchange: Matt Doorey, Matthew Arthur, Ryan Matterson, Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: Daejarn Asi, Charlie Guymer

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Prediction

Prediction: Parramatta to win by six points

About the author

Okenna is an football journalist at Sportskeeda. He has previously worked as a radio presenter at Green FM Umuahia for 4 years, and as a writer at Opera News Hub Nigeria for around 2 years. As a successful modus operandi, he strictly sticks to publishing guidelines, double checks facts while writing, pays very close attention to details and prides himself on picking complex topics to write on.

A Chelsea fan, Okenna had his first tryst with Blues in 2006, after fellow countryman John Mikel Obi joined the west London club. He was immediately drawn to the brilliance of players like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba.

Okenna is a huge fan of Lionel Messi for his exceptional talent. He also admires Jose Mourinho for his achievements with various clubs which proves he's a tactical and disciplined manger as well as a serial winner.

Some of Okenna’s prospective career landmarks include working as an international journalist and covering a FIFA World Cup game live from the stadium. When not writing, he loves watching, movies and reading books.

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Edited by Bhargav