Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Round 27 Match Preview

⏰ 2 September 2023 - 19:35 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

The St George Illawarra Dragons will host the high-flying Newcastle Knights this Saturday night in a clash that promises plenty of entertainment for rugby league fans. The match between the Dragons and the Knights will kick off at 7:35 pm AEST on 02/09/2023 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.

To get you prepared for this intriguing contest, we've compiled the latest betting odds from 3 top Australian betting sites across 21 different wagering markets. The bookmakers have installed the in-form Knights as $1.86 favourites to beat the Dragons on their home turf.

Newcastle have surged into finals contention on the back of a remarkable seven-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Dragons' finals hopes are hanging by a thread after some inconsistent late-season form.

The Knights will be looking to keep their incredible winning run going into the finals when they face the Dragons at Kogarah this Saturday night. It's been a remarkable turnaround for the Knights – they were struggling down in 14th spot on the ladder after Round 19, but eight wins on the trot have shot them into fifth and a guaranteed top-six finish for the first time since 2006.

Newcastle's run has been inspired by the form of Kalyn Ponga, who was arguably the best player in the comp over the last two months before copping a shoulder injury last week.

Ponga will miss this game as a result and is racing the clock to be fit for the finals starting next week. Meanwhile, it's been another disappointing season for the Dragons, who will finish second-last for their equal-worst ladder position.

There's definite potential at the Dragons, but the club is still a mess and they just can't seem to get it right off the field or find any consistency on it. The Dragons have lost eight of their last nine games, but their last six defeats have been by a 1-12 margin, so they're not far off at the moment.

Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights Head-to-Head

The St George Illawarra Dragons have held a clear edge over the Newcastle Knights in recent head-to-head clashes. Over the last 8 years, these clubs have met 11 times, with the Dragons winning 8 of those matchups compared to just 3 victories for the Knights. St George Illawarra have dominated the rivalry during that period, with none of the games between the teams ending in a draw. The Dragons' commanding 8-3 head-to-head record over Newcastle in the past 8 seasons highlights their recent dominance when these sides meet. However, the Knights' sizzling current form poses a significant challenge to the Dragons' superiority.

Illawarra Dragons Performance

🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 The Illawarra Dragons have struggled in their last 5 matches, failing to secure a win. With 5 consecutive losses, the team is clearly going through a difficult period and lacking cohesion on the field. To turn things around, the Dragons will need to reflect on their recent performances, identify key areas for improvement, and focus on working together as a unit. Their supporters will be hoping the team can regroup and bounce back soon.

Newcastle Knights Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Newcastle Knights are flying high after winning their last 5 games. The players are showing determination and resilience to grind out victories. The team's confidence must be sky-high during this winning streak. If the Knights can maintain this momentum and stay focused on their processes, they will be tough to beat. Their fans have plenty to cheer about and will be urging the Knights to keep their winning run going.

📋 Players to watch:

• Ben Hunt has scored a try in his last four games at Jubilee Stadium
• Greg Marzhew has scored a try in seven of his last eight games
• Mikaele Ravalawa has scored 11 tries in his last eight games

⚡ Match Facts:

• Dragons have won five of the last seven meetings between the teams
• Knights haven’t won at Kogarah since 2009
• Dragons have won four of their last five games at Jubilee Stadium
• Eight of the Dragons' last 11 home games have produced Over 45.5 points

💡 Match Prediction:

Looking ahead to the upcoming match between the Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights, the odds and recent form suggest the Knights will continue their strong run of form against the struggling Dragons. With the Knights winning their last 5 games compared to the Dragons' 5 consecutive losses, the Knights have momentum and belief heading into this clash. The probability and fair odds also favor the Knights at 64.4% and $1.55 respectively, versus the Dragons at 35.6% and $2.81.

Given the Knights are forecast to win by 7 points, and considering their current dominance, a realistic prediction would be for the Newcastle Knights to defeat the Illawarra Dragons by a score of 24-16. The Knights have the edge across the park and their confidence should carry them to another victory if they play to their potential. The Dragons will need to find something special to turn their form around against the flying Knights.

Dragons vs Knights Prediction: 16 - 24