Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights: NRL Friday Preview

Wests Tigers head into the new NRL season full of hope and expectation and will be eager to see off Newcastle Knights in the opener.

After years of being at the wrong end of the ladder, there is a possibility the Tigers could be pushing for the top eight, following some high-profile signings.

But now it is time for all the talking to come to an end and Benji Marshall’s side have to show what they can do on the pitch.

It will be far from easy against a Knights side that is packed with quality and come in to the game on the back of big win over the Roosters in pre-season.

Both teams will be keen to get off to a winning start and it is sure to be an intense encounter at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights betting preview

Tigers set to unleash big guns

It is exciting times for the Tigers as they prepare to unleash star recruits Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva following their arrival from Penrith Panthers.

Luai is expected to captain the Tigers in the absence of the suspended Api Koroisau, and will be keen to make an immediate impact.

Turuva was a try-scoring machine for the Panthers last season and can be backed at 8.50 to score the first of the game, or 2.15 to score at anytime.

Jack Bird is also among the player to make his Tigers debut, and he has a good try-scoring record against the Knights.

The lock has scored six tries in eight games against the Knights.

The Tigers will be out to bury the Round 1 hoodoo, which has seen them lose every opener since 2020, and they may not get a better chance.

It could be a tight game, and the Tigers are priced at 3.40 to win by 1-12 points.

Knights strong against the Tigers

Newcastle Knights have enjoyed some good times against the Tigers in recent seasons. Indeed they have won the last six on the bounce.

They will be facing a different Tigers outfit on this occasion but will be heading into the game full of confidence.

The Knights smashed the Roosters by eight tries in their final pre-season outing, and will look to take that form into the Tigers clash.

Five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe impressed in that Roosters clash and also shone in his only game of 2024, which was against the Tigers.

He scored four tries on that occasion and is 3.90 to score again at anytime.

James Schiller, who will be making his debut on the wing, can also be backed at 8.00 to score the first try, or 2.00 to grab one at anytime.

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Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights odds

Wests Tigers - 2.25
Newcastle Knights - 1.65

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.