Expert
After a strong start to the season the Newcastle Knights have hit a roadblock in the last couple of weeks. Today they host a Parramatta Eels side also looking to get their campaign back on track. Join The Roar from 3:45pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Knights had a better start to the season than even their most optimistic supporters hoped for, winning their first four games against some strong opposition.
However their dream start ran into a red brick wall on a windy, rainy night in Newcastle when they went down to the Dragons, and then last weekend they struggled badly, going down to the Cronulla Sharks.
Despite the losses the Knights still sit in fifth position, however they will desperately want a reassuring win against the Eels on Sunday.
Meanwhile, for the Parramatta Eels the bad is outweighing the good so far in their season. They are not being helped by their injury and suspension toll, but still their on-field performances simply haven’t been good enough.
Last week they suffered an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans – they couldn’t hold onto the ball and gave away countless penalties in a second half that they would rather forget.
That loss has left them the opposite to the Knights with two wins and four losses, sitting in 13th spot.
In team news, the Knights have reversed a last-minute decision last week by placing hooker and second rower Tyler Randell back on the bench in jersey number 14, pushing Sione Mata’utia to 18th man. Incredible that the teenager played for Australia but can’t get a proper run for the Knights.
The Eels only change sees Richie Fa’oso added as 18th man.
The Knights played their first four games of the season in dry weather, with three of their four wins played in daylight. Since then they have suffered two losses in night footy with the rain coming down. A wet forecast for Sunday afternoon will not help the Knights.
While he has been backed up well by Corey Norman, the Eels’ two wins have come almost as a direct result of brilliant performances from Chris Sandow. The Knights’ ability to shut him down will go a long way to determining the result.
William Hopoate has also shown some moments of brilliance this year but the pressure is building on him to perform consistently.
The Knights have only scored six points in their last two games. Players like Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts and Kurt Gidley really need to get their attack firing, and sort out their last-play options.
Prediction
The Knights will be keen to turn things around in front of their home fans and with the Eels’ massive injury toll they should get up in a close one.
Knights by 6.
Join The Roar from 3:45pm (AEST) for our live coverage of the Newcastle Knights taking on the Parramatta Eels, and remember to leave your comments as the game progresses!