The Newcastle Knights will host the Dolphins in a clash with top four implications at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. 

Both teams enter the contest with 10-5 records and their eyes firmly set on securing a double chance come finals time. 

The Knights were made to dig deep, but they kept their winning form alive with a gritty 12-6 victory over the Tigers last Sunday, with Bradman Best and Dylan Lucas scoring tries. 

The Dolphins extended their club-record winning streak to eight with a dramatic 26-24 victory over the Warriors in a classic last Saturday but have lost five in a row against the Knights. 

The Dolphins will be without six players, with New South Wales representative Jack Bostock and Queensland quartet Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Plath and Thomas Flegler all away on Origin duty, while Isaiya Katoa is sidelined with a fractured wrist. Meanwhile, the Knights have lost Kalyn Ponga and Best to Origin duty.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of the final game of a shortened NRL Round 18, check out our Knights vs Dolphins tips and predictions below.

Knights vs Dolphins Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Both the Knights and the Dolphins are genuine top four contenders, with the Phins currently second favourites for the premiership behind Penrith.

Any title aspirations they may have will have taken a hit with the news that main man Isaiya Katoa sustained a fractured wrist in their stunning win over the Warriors last week. 

The Dolphins without Katoa are like peaches without cream. However, the Knights will be without their lynchpin Kayln Ponga who is away on Origin duty. 

With Newcastle also losing the cream to their peaches, the playing field draws level once again. When games are this close on paper, we tend to turn to the H2H odds and despite Katoa’s absence, they still have the Dolphins as slight favourites, so that’s where our money is going. 

Betting tip: The Dolphins. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

Despite inking his future away from the Dolphins earlier this week, we’re tipping departing star Jake Averllio to leave an early mark on this one.

Averillo has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances against opponents that were ranked in the top eight and we’re tipping him to show the Phins early what they’ll be missing from next season onwards. 

Betting tip: Jake Averllio. 

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Newcastle's last three home matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under (50.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

The away team has covered the line in each of Newcastle's last six matches.

Betting tip: Dolphins (-1.5) line. 

Knights vs Dolphins Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Dylan Lucas

Dylan Lucas has scored at least one try in each of his last four appearances in New South Wales.

Herbie Farnworth

Herbie Farnworth has scored at least one try in 12 of his last 13 appearances against opponents that were ranked in the top eight.

Trey Mooney

Trey Mooney has scored at least one try in each of Newcastle's last three matches against teams on a winning streak.

Jamayne Isaako

Jamayne Isaako has scored at least one try in each of the Dolphins' last five matches against opponents that were ranked lower on the ladder.

Dylan Brown

Dylan Brown has scored a try in each of his two previous appearances against the Dolphins.

Tevita Naufahu

Tevita Naufahu has scored at least one try in five of his last six appearances.

Connelly Lemuelu

Connelly Lemuelu has scored at least one try in each of the Dolphins' last three matches in New South Wales.

Knights vs Dolphins Teams 

Newcastle Knights Team List 

1. Fletcher Sharpe

2. Dominic Young 

3. Dane Gagai

4. Fletcher Hunt

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Sandon Smith

7. Dylan Brown

8. Jacob Saifiti (c)

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Trey Mooney

11. Dylan Lucas

12. Jermaine McEwen

13. Mat Croker

14. Harrison Graham 

15. Tyson Frizell

16. Cody Hopwood

17. Thomas Cant

18. Lachlan Crouch

The Dolphins Team List 

1. Trai Fuller

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Jake Averillo

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Tevita Naufahu

6. Kodi Nokirima

7. Brad Schneider

8. Felise Kaufusi (c)

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Francis Molo

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

13. Morgan Knowles

14. Kurt Donoghoe

15. Tom Gilbert

16. Ray Stone

17. Brian Pouniu

18. Sebastian Su'a

Knights vs Dolphins Match Details 

Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026. 

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST.

Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.