McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 7 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Parramatta Eels heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday April 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Where: McDonald Jones Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Odds

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Preview

The Newcastle Knights have lost all their early-season form to lose three on the bounce. Their latest: an ugly 21-16 loss to a hapless Dragons outfit. Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels will be desperate to bounce back from their shock defeat to the Tigers last week.

Adam Clune returns for the Knights which pushes Phoenix Crossland to the bench and Simi Sasagi to 18th man. The Eels have been forced into a couple of changes but to welcome back Junior Paulo. Marata Niukore is out and replaced by Will Penesini in the centres while Hayze Perham is the latest name on the wing.

The Knights have done little to impress in recent weeks. Kalyn Ponga hasn’t provided a spark. If anything, the Knights attack has looked worse upon his return. Their middle disappointed last week, too. Injuries or not, a pack headlined by David Klemmer and the Saifiti brothers should be getting their side a lot further up the field in attack. They will need to against an Eels side that will surely go back to what works and play narrow and direct. They fell back into bad habits last week and tried to take the easy path around the Tigers defence. Brad Arthur will be pleading with his side to hit the tramlines, fashion splits in defence and hit short sides this week. If the Eels return to their pre-Round 6 form, this one won’t be close. They have allowed teams to hang in games through some poor defence but the Knights don’t have enough with the ball to keep up with the Eels if they’re firing. We’re going to learn a lot about Parramatta’s approach in the early stages of this one. If Shaun Lane and Isaiah Papali’i are being dropped back off to the middle and Mitchell Moses and Dylan Walker are getting downhill behind them, the Knights will struggle to keep them out for the full 80 minutes.

Content provided by Palmerbet