For the second time this season, the Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers will do battle.
The Knights were victorious in a nailbiter five weeks ago, winning 10-8 after overcoming an 8-0 half-time deficit. Form has been indifferent for both sides since, as they each hold two victories so far this season.
The Knights are having attacking issues at the moment, as they failed to trouble the scorers in a 20-point loss to the Bulldogs last week, while the Tigers problems are of the defensive kind, conceding 42 in their loss to Brisbane last start.
This creates an interesting dynamic heading into this match, one that will only get all the more interesting with the return of pantomime villain Jarome Luai from suspension.
Let’s take a look at how these two teams will line up, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Knights vs Tigers prediction.
Knights vs Tigers Teams
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Kyle McCarthy
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. Brodie Jones
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Thomas Cant
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell
14. Matthew Arthur
15. Tyrone Thompson
16. Jermaine McEwen
17. Mat Croker
Wests Tigers
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Starford To'a
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Alex Twal
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu
Knights vs Tigers Prediction and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
It became very apparent that the Knights need to fix a thing or two in attack, after being bagelled by the Bulldogs last week.
The Tigers had no such trouble finding the line last start, just a lot of trouble keeping the opposition out.
With star recruit Jarome Luai due back on deck and the Newcastle artillery firing nothing but blanks, the Tigers will fancy their chances of springing an ambush here.
To do so, they’ll have to defy a solid dose of recent history as Newcastle have won each of their last seven matches against Wests.
With Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Jack Hetherington, James Schiller and Adam Elliott all sidelined for the Novocastrians, the Tigers should be ready to strike.
Betting tip: Wests Tigers.
First Try Scorer Prediction
We love to back a man in form for this market and Jeral Skelton has scored a try in three of his last four appearances.
We’ll be siding with him and steering clear of any Newcastle players as they struggle to score at all these days, let alone first.
Betting tip: Jeral Skelton.
Over/Under Prediction
What happens when no attack meets no defence? Well, that’s the question on everyone’s lips heading into this one.
The over/under line is set at 44.5 here, and we can’t really see that total being eclipsed, not when Newcastle are involved.
Betting tip: Under total match points.
Knights vs Tigers Match Details
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST.
Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.