NRL Round 18 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights @ Belmore Sports Ground

Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights @ Belmore Sports Ground
 
Preview - The Bulldogs’ finals’ hopes will be officially dead and buried if they can't beat the last placed Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. The Bulldogs put in a typical Bulldogs performance last week which was both gritty and ugly, but ultimately disappointing, again going down 13-12 to the Eels in Golden Point, after having battled their way back from 12-2 down at halftime. Newcastle put in perhaps their worst performance of the season, being demolished by the Wests Tigers 33-12, in what was billed as the battle of the spoon. The Knights were awful in both defence and attack and were never really in the game having trailed 20-0 at halftime. Having won just two games for the season, the Knights are staring down the barrel of a third straight wooden spoon. 

History  - Earlier this season when the sides clashed in Newcastle the game went down to the wire before the Dogs prevailed late winning 20-10. The Bulldogs are currently riding a 4 game winning streak against the Knights having not lost to them since 2013. However the Dogs form at Belmore has been awful since returning their winning just 1 from 5 outings at the ground. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs Scouting Report - The Bulldogs are once again missing their 3 Origin players with Brett Morris, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson all unavailable for this must win clash. Sam Kasiano starts at lock for Klemmer, whilst Raymond Faitala-Mariner gets a chance to impress in the starting side replacing Jackson on an edge. Goal kicking winger Kerrod Holland is back in the side on the wing, despite some patchy form this season. The Dogs have experienced the same old problems this season with the side having the worst attack in the NRL, averaging barely over 2 tries per game through 17 rounds. 
 
Newcastle Knights Scouting Report -The Knights have a couple of changes in the backline with Dane Gagai unavailable through  Origin duty, and Ken Sio having been injured against the Tigers last week. Chanel Mata'utia and Brendon Elliott come into the starting back line which failed to fire against the Tigers last week. Luke Yeates returns from injury winning a place on the bench ahead of Josh Starling. Trent Hopkinson must be on thin ice in Newcastle after a desperately disappointing return to the side last week, having spent the best part of two months in State Cup. Hopkinson looked old and slow if truth be told. 
 
Verdict - Newcastle 1-6 in a low scoring game

You would have to think the Bulldogs will find a way to win this game, however I'm sticking my neck out and going for a big upset and Newcastle to get a rare win. The Dogs look vulnerable without their 3 Origin players and with their totally dysfunctional attack at the minute. The Knights would have been embarrassed by their performance last week and, in many ways, it was uncharacteristic of the displays they have put together this year. At their best this year, the Knights’ attack has looked better than the Bulldogs attack and they are capable of outscoring them here if they bring their best football. However, it’s hard to back them with any confidence after that awful display against the Tigers last week. Given the fact this game is at Belmore I expect the Dogs to lift however they have lost their last 4 games at their spiritual home. The+7.5 start offered to Newcastle looks good valet me and I see this game going right down to the wire and the Kn9ghts finally getting some luck in a close game to squeak home by a point.