Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction, Tips & Odds

Still in the Top 4 mix, the Knights shapes as a top-value option at home against the flailing ‘Fozball’ Sea Eagles.  

FORM: The sleepers in the premiership race, the Knights have chalked up wins over the Broncos (30-6), Raiders (30-24) and Titans (36-26) over the past three weeks.  

The Sea Eagles finals prospects have disintegrated with six straight losses, losing their last three to the Sharks, Storm and Dolphins by 22-plus margins. The were held to nil at home by the Dolphins last Friday.   

INS AND OUTS: Bradman Best returns for the Knights in time to replace Dane Gagai (hamstring), while Jacob Saifiti is back from a six-week layoff. Rookie sensation Francis Manuleleua is out with concussion, so Tyson Frizell will start.  

Tom Trbojevic is a surprise in for Manly, which sees Clayton Faulalo shift to five-eighth for the injured Joey Walsh. Ben Trbojevic returns with Corey Waddell sliding to the bench.  

KEY MATCH-UP: ‘Turbo’s’ return changes the complexion of this match somewhat, particularly as he lines up opposite Knights captain and talisman Kalyn Ponga. The direct head-to-head stands at three wins apiece with one draw.  

HISTORY: The Knights boast three wins and a draw from their last five matches against the Sea Eagles, including a rare victory in their dismal 2025 campaign (26-22) and a resounding Round 2 result this year (36-16) despite losing Ponga and Dylan Brown during the first half.   

KEY STAT: Dom Young has scored 10 tries in his last six games against Manly.  

VERDICT: The Knights haven’t exactly been setting the NRL on fire during their current winning streak, but they’ve been doing more than enough and another victory over a bottom-half team looms as they hunt their seventh win at McDonald Jones Stadium in eight matches.  

Tom Trbojevic’s return could provide the circuit-breaker the Sea Eagles are desperately searching for, but the slide started well before his latest injury setback. They have offered very little on either side of the ball in recent weeks. The line looks far too small in this one.  

Prediction: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (-6.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: KNIGHTS TO WIN / UNDER 50.5 TOTAL POINTS / DOM YOUNG TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / JASON SAAB ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.35