<p>This week’s NRL action opens with the Newcastle Knights hosting the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>The Knights return to the venue where they blew a 20-0 lead over the Titans last week, going down 24-20. That result means that Newcastle have now lost six of their last seven and sit in the bottom four.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Eels blew a lead of their own when they went down 20-16 to the Dolphins. With just two wins in nine games, it’s been a nightmare first season in charge for rookie coach Jason Ryles.</p> <p>The return of Zac Lomax to replace the injured Bailey Simonsson is good news however, and Toni Mataele will make his debut off the bench with Charlie Guymer dropping out.</p> <p>The Knights have given a debut to Fletcher Hunt with winger Greg Marzhew out injured. Leo Thompson is also out, with Adam Elliott promoted to the starting side and Thomas Cant joining the interchange.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the rest of the teams lists for this one, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Knights vs Eels prediction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Knights vs Eels Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Newcastle Knights Team List&nbsp;</h3> <p>1. Kalyn Ponga</p> <p>2. James Schiller</p> <p>3. Dane Gagai</p> <p>4. Bradman Best</p> <p>5. Fletcher Hunt</p> <p>6. Fletcher Sharpe</p> <p>7. Jack Cogger</p> <p>8. Jacob Saifiti</p> <p>9. Phoenix Crossland</p> <p>10. Tyson Frizell</p> <p>11. Dylan Lucas</p> <p>12. Kai Pearce-Paul</p> <p>13. Adam Elliott</p> <p>14. Jayden Brailey</p> <p>15. Mat Croker</p> <p>16. Thomas Cant</p> <p>17. Brodie Jones</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Parramatta Eels Team List&nbsp;</h3> <p>1. Isaiah Iongi</p> <p>2. Zac Lomax</p> <p>3. Will Penisini</p> <p>4. Sean Russell</p> <p>5. Josh Addo-Carr</p> <p>6. Dylan Brown</p> <p>7. Mitch Moses</p> <p>8. Jack Williams</p> <p>9. Ryley Smith</p> <p>10. Junior Paulo</p> <p>11. Matt Doorey</p> <p>12. Kitione Kautoga</p> <p>13. J'maine Hopgood</p> <p>14. Dylan Walker</p> <p>15. Luca Moretti</p> <p>16. Jordan Samrani</p> <p>17. Toni Mataele</p>

<h2>Knights vs Eels Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>It took one week for the Knights to undo all their hard work from Magic Round, blowing a 20-0 lead at home to the Titans who were on a five-game losing streak.</p> <p>Not even Titan’s coach Des Hasler could believe what he was seeing, with images of his shocked expression quickly going viral after full-time.</p> <p>After bottling it against one cellar dweller, the Knights get a shot at redemption against another.</p> <p>They welcome the last-placed Parramatta Eels to McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.</p> <p>The main storyline heading into this one will revolve around Dylan Brown. The Eels No.6 announced earlier this season that he would be joining the Knights next year on the richest deal in NRL history.</p> <p>The Kiwi international has slowly been living up to that price tag over the last fortnight, with two tries in his last two games.</p> <p>We’re tipping Brown to torment his future employers and show them exactly what they’re getting next year while leading the Eels to just their third victory of the season.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Parramatta Eels.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>As mentioned, the cameras will be spending a lot of time on Dylan Brown during this one.</p> <p>The young half will call the Hunter Valley home next year, but for now, he will attempt to be the architect of their downfall here.</p> <p>With three tries in his last four matches, Brown is a man in form and we’re backing him to open the scoring in this one.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Dylan Brown.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>When the Knights play at home in 2025, points for both sides seem to be at a premium.</p> <p>Five of Newcastle's last six home matches have gone under the total match points line and we’re tipping that trend to continue here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points.</p>

<h2>Knights vs Eels Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, May 16, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off: </strong>6:00pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.</p>