Roar Guru
The Newcastle Knights have caused several upsets at home in recent weeks and will look to cause another when they face a Parramatta Eels side desperate to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm AEST.
Parramatta are coming off perhaps their best win of the season, after being 12-nil down to secure a 22-12 victory over premiership heavyweights Manly last week.
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Key players Chris Sandow, Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate and Semi Radradra all chipped in with big performances against the Sea Eagles and approach today’s contest with plenty of confidence.
Although the Eels will start strong favourites against Newcastle, the Knights have made a recent habit of causing upsets at home and will take plenty of delight in ending the Eels’ finals hopes in front of their home fans.
Indeed Parramatta suffered a surprise home defeat to Newcastle earlier in the season, so the Eels should know the dangers of underestimating the Novocastrians.
Recent home wins over Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand makes the Knights a dangerous proposition this afternoon.
The Eels have to turn up ready to play or they could be in for yet another ambush from an enthusiastic Newcastle outfit.
With plenty on the line, Parramatta should show up with their best football. The victory over Manly should have installed plenty of belief in the squad and that confidence should allow them to play at a high tempo.
Overall the performances of Hayne and Sandow will dictate which team wins.
If they both fire, Parramatta should win well. A flat performance from either could see the Knights spring another upset.
Eels by 12.
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