NRL Round 20 Preview and Prediction - Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights @ Allianz Stadium

Sydney Roosters (2nd) v Newcastle Knights (16th) @ Allianz Stadium 
 
Preview - The Roosters will be looking to keep their Minor Premiership hopes alive when they take on the last placed Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. With the Sharks’ loss to the Titans, the Roosters jumped into 2nd spot last weekend, despite having not played and enjoying a bye week. The Roosters scored a gutsy 14-12 victory over bitter rivals South Sydney in Round 18 in a game where they were without their 5 Origin players. The Knights continued their season of heartbreak as they, once again, lost a game they had a chance to win, folding up in the last 15 minutes in a 34-22 loss to the Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Knights have led several games this season, however have lacked the quality and experience to avoid what now looks certain to be a 3rd straight wooden spoon.
 
History - The Roosters have dominated the Knights in recent years, winning 8 of the past 10 matches. Earlier this season when the sides met in Newcastle, the Roosters were made to work for their victory before a couple of late tries saw them run out 24-6 winners. The Knights have not beaten the Roosters at Allianz Stadium since 2009. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters have some key changes in their spine with both Michael Gordon and Jake Friend out with injury. Young utility player Connor Watson gets a chance in his preferred position at fullback, whilst Mitchell Cornish starts in the hooking role. Mitchell Pearce, Blake Ferguson and Dylan Napa are all back into the side from Origin duty, however co-captain Boyd Cordner is out again through injury. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Veteran winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall will make his debut for the Knights against the Club he served so well for near on a decade. Given Kenny-Dowall left on not the best of terms with the Roosters, it will be interesting to see if there is any extra niggle in the contest. Peter Mata’utia will need to pass concussion tests, but is likely to return to the starting side. 
 
Verdict - Roosters by 18-30

 The Roosters should have far too much strike power at home against the Knights. Despite the Knights being extremely competitive in most of their losses this season, I see them copping a hiding here against a side that will be fully focused now the Origin period is over. The Roosters have dominated the Knights over the past 5 years, and have the sort of game that really troubles them, with plenty of pace and power as well as some second phase play. I think if the Roosters are on their game they are capable of scoring 40+ points and racking up a big score against a side that is surely starting to hit the wall after all their efforts have come to very little in terms of results.