The in-form, finals-bound Parramatta Eels host the bottom-of-the-table Newcastle Knights in a match sure to have a significant impact on the top four. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, starting from 6pm (AEST).
Parramatta, while not starting particularly strong, have become a powerhouse in the competition, winning their past six games and sitting firmly inside the top eight.
Additionally, the Eels have been with a consistent side for many weeks, meaning they are able to rely on their stars to get the job done.
Players like Semi Radradra and Bevan French have been superb and will look to increase their season points tally against a struggling Newcastle.
The Knights, however, play with heart, and although struggling to pick up points all season have gone on a small winning run in recent weeks.
Victories over the Dragons and Warriors at home will only help their confidence ahead of this clash, which they will want to win to keep their hopes of avoiding a third-straight wooden spoon alive.
On the other hand, these two wins have come from teams out of form, making it difficult to suggest the Knights could win this one.
This match means quite a lot for Parramatta’s top four chances as it’s not only a likely easy win but hopefully a chance to close some of the points gap with other contenders.
For Newcastle, on the other hand, this is part of their slim hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon. Despite two wins in two weeks, that’s still pretty unlikely.
Prediction
The Knights will give it a red-hot crack, but Parramatta should get over the line.
Parramatta by 14
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game between the Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, starting from 6pm (AEST).
Wayne Turner
Guest
What an awesome try.With just about no room,to get the ball down before going out was great.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Knights defense won it for them tonight.Their best defensive performance for years.They never stopped trying in defense,unlike lots of other games.The massively improved defense,set the leg work,for their attack,which normally is pretty good,except being unable to finish off the last pass or two.No problem,with that tonight. Also,awesome try by Ken Sio vs his old club.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Congrats to the Knights,and all their fans on another win. They have some of the best fans in the whole comp. They get great home crowds,even when they have been losing badly. Finally,after this performance,the team that really deserves the spoon.This season,probably won't get it: The Bulldogs - Boring and terrible in both attack,and defense.
Tom G
Guest
and coached by the supposed super coach too
Joe
Roar Rookie
Definitely, just wonder whether the overall approach to this game by the Eels was one of overconfidence considering Radradra as an example.
Ruben
Guest
3 in a row, go Newy! Good to see hard work paying off. Definitely on the way up.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
A team does not lose to the Knights because of a poor performance by a winger though.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Wow - just saw the score. The Knights are playing with a lot of confidence now - 3 in a row. That result will have put a dent in the Eels chance of a top 4 spot. And no one will want to play the Knights now with the form they are in.
J.C.
Roar Pro
Wtf happened??? Knights smashed them. So much for the Eels run to the finals
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
No wonder he dropped the ball twice, forget the feel of it I presume.
Adam
Guest
Yawn. Parramatta made 14 errors. No ones fault but their own
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quite a shock, that.
Jay
Guest
Bloody disgrace having the match on Foxtel but we didn't miss much with the Eels being beaten by the guys on the bottom of the ladder. Oh Well ; perhaps they needed this to jolt them back to reality .Now they may have a look at themselves and pick their game up .
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: PARRAMATTA EELS 10-29 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS No one expected it but the Knights have won comfortable here tonight Post match analysis to come shortly
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
78TH MIN: Field Goal Lamb!! 29-10 Newcastle
Joe
Roar Rookie
Wow Knights are just outstanding tonight. Eels look like they underestimated them and are paying the price. I mean how do they allow Radradra to go and get married in Fiji then come back and play and not expect his game to suffer.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
75TH MIN: NO TRY Just not Parramatta's night
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
VIDEO REFEREE EELS possible consolation try here by Parra
TigerMike
Guest
Even the Tigers beat the Nights And they did it without MitchJesus haha
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
73RD MIN: Dane Gagai catches a screamer. Knights smashing them at the moment