NRL Round 14 Preview and Prediction - Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights @ Lottoland

Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights @ Lottoland
 
Preview - The surging Manly Sea Eagles will be looking to make it 3 straight wins and further cement their spot in the Top 8 when they take on the struggling Newcastle Knights at Lottoland on Friday night. The Sea Eagles were unfancied by many at the start of the year, however have won 7 from their past 10 games after starting the season with 2 concerning losses. Despite missing Tom Trbojevic in the last 2 games, the Eagles have managed to upset both the Titans on the road before holding on in a Golden Point thriller against the Raiders last week to move to 6th spot on the ladder. After competing well for the majority of the first 12 rounds, the Knights hit a low point last week as they were flogged 42-12 by a Melbourne Storm team missing Cameron Smith. It continued the Knights’ horror road record under Nathan Brown, having failed to register a win in their 17 games away from McDonald Jones Stadium since Brown took over at the start of last season. 
 
History - The Knights have a dreadful recent record against the Sea Eagles, having lost their last 6 and having failed to beat them since 2012. Last year when the sides clashed at Lottoland, it was a convincing 36-16 for Manly, whilst they also triumphed 26-10 earlier in the season in Newcastle. The Knights have not won at Manly since 2006 and overall have only 17 wins from 47 games against the Sea Eagles. 
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - Manly are playing ducks and drakes a bit here with young gun Tom Trbojevic named on an extended bench, despite the fact Head Coach Trent Barrett was adamant that he would not be back for a few weeks of late. With Jorge Taufua out for the season with an ACL injury, Jonathan Wright has been named to take his place. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - The Knights have lost Sam Stone from their back row with Lachlan Fitzgibbon coming into the Number 12 jersey. Dane Gagai was outstanding for the Maroons on the wing in Origin One, and the Knights need him at his explosive best if they are to be any hope here of upsetting the in-form Sea Eagles. 
 
Verdict - Manly by 16-24  

Manly are riding a wave of confidence right now and I expect them to be far too strong for Newcastle. I'm sure the Knights will be a lot better from that really passive performance they put up against the Storm which was a flashback to some of the hidings they copped last season. However, Manly are a side that like to offload and throw the ball around and I think that sort of style of football causes the Knights all sorts of problems at times. I think this game will be high scoring with the Knights capable of scoring a few tries, however I expect the Eagles to score 30+ and register their 8th win of the season.