Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers: team lists, odds, TV channel

Andrew Lucas

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers: team lists, odds, TV channel image

Newcastle will this week play for the fifth time on a Friday night in 2018 which no doubt has divided the home team's supporters and opposition fans.

The Knights are currently sitting in 10th on the NRL ladder and have a 50 percent winning record in their four Friday night games after their last-start loss to South Sydney.

In round ten they will host Penrith at Macdonald Jones Stadium with the Panthers coming off an upset defeat against the Cowboys in Bathurst last week.

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HOW TO WATCH THE KNIGHTS AND PENRITH?

The Friday 6:00pm slot means many may miss the start of the game on their way home from Friday work drinks.

But for those who can, check out Fox League (Channel 502) for the game. NRL Tonight kicks off at 5:00pm and is then followed by NRL Friday Night Footy up until kick off.

Channel Nine's free-to-air broadcast will only cover the later Bulldogs/Eels clash.

For those who don't have Foxtel or not attending the game, never fear - your local pub/club will come to your aid.

There is also the NRL live pass which is free for Telstra mobile customers and $3.99 per week for everyone else.

CAN I WATCH IT OVERSEAS?

Fox Sports and the NRL have teamed up to launch Watch NRL, due to go live in early 2018, for footy fans living overseas (assuming overseas isn't New Zealand or the Pacific Territories). The service, which can be accessed through the app, the website or using Airplay/Chromecast, will deliver all of the games of the 2018 NRL season, State of Origin, Test matches played on home soil, ISC games and a live stream of the Fox Footy channel.

IS IT STREAMING ON THE RADIO?

ABC Grandstand, Triple M and 2GB will all continue their respective coverage, but the news for 2018 is the emergence of NRL Nation . 

Previously, regional listeners were lucky to hear a game - but not anymore.

WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?

The game kicks off at 6:00pm AEDT but if you’re keen on a preview, Fox League will have live coverage from 5:00pm for all the team news and strategy breakdowns.

DO THE PANTHERS EVER WIN IN NEWCASTLE?

They don't have the worst record. Gus Gould's Penrith Panthers have won seven out of 16 games in Newcastle and will look to make it eight when they head in as favourites on Friday. They defeated the Knights 30-20 last time they played at the venue.

PENRITH'S ROUND NINE SIDE

CHECK BACK ON TUESDAY AT 4:00PM.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PANTHERS LOSE?

Penrith are currently sitting in third place on 12 points on the ladder, one win behind the Warriors in second and two wins behind the Red V in first. However, lose and things could change very quickly for the Panthers. There are seven teams including the Knights who are all on 10 points meaning if they do lose they could finish the week on the edge of the eight. 

NEWCASTLE'S ROUND NINE SIDE

CHECK BACK ON TUESDAY AT 4:00PM.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE KNIGHTS LOSE?

The Knights won't go into the clash as favourites but will challenge an injury-ravaged Panthers side. They are 10th with five wins and four losses and a victory should see them move into the eight. However, if they drop another game they could fall to 11th behind the Raiders.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT WILL WIN ME SOME CASH?

The Knights are the outsiders, currently at $2.25 on Sportsbet, but could cause an upset and offer some value for money on the back of Penrith's high injury toll. The Panthers are $1.66 favourites.

WHAT STATS CAN I USE FOR A BET ON THE GAME?

  • The Panthers average 22.7 points per game and only concede 16.2 per game in 2018. However, Newcastle average only 17.3 points per game but concede 25.8 per game.
  • Penrith have won their last four games against the Knights including two of those in Newcastle.
  • Newcastle leads the head-to-head battle with 18 wins to Penrith's 12, and add a draw in there too.
  • Both sides are coming off losses in round ten.

Andrew Lucas

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