McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 7 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday April 15, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Where: McDonald Jones Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Odds

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Preview

Newcastle Knights have won plenty of admirers for their efforts in racking up a three wins and a draw in the face of low expectations and a high injury toll, but a visit from the red-hot Penrith Panthers – on the back of more personnel setbacks – provides the ultimate litmus test of their credentials.

The fast-starting Knights held off the in-form Warriors 34-24 last Sunday with Tyson Frizell and Lachie Miller leading the way.

Their attacking shape caused major headahces for the Warriors’ edge defence – with Dom Young and Greg Marzhew cashing in – and they got home despite losing yardage.

The win was soured by hooker and captain Jayden Brailey’s season-ending knee injury, however, with pitches Phoenix Crossland into the No.9. Tyson Gamble makes a timely return at five-eighth with Kalyn Ponga still a week away.

The Panthers were involved in a series of low-scoring grinds against good opposition over the first month of the season, but they’ve opened their shoulders with sizzling wins over the Raiders (53-12) and Sea Eagles (42-12) in the past fortnight.

Dylan Edwards’ four-try haul against Manly was the headliner for the premiers, but it was Nathan Cleary who was chiefly responsible for picking the opposition apart. Absolutely ruthless.

Newcastle has mustered one win and one draw from its last 12 matches against Penrith, losing the last three straight by 18-plus.

Last season the Panthers cruised to a 38-20 Round 3 win in Bathurst over a 12-man Knights and racked up a dominant 42-6 result in Newcastle in Round 14. In both games, all four Penrith wingers and centres scored tries.

Plucky as they’ve been, the Knights have leaked plenty of points (23 per game) while the Panthers are yet to concede more than 17 in a game.

The Panthers are in an ominous mood with and without the ball – they’ll eventually break the hosts’ unexpectedly strong backbone here.

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