NRL Round 19 Preview - Knights v Titans @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans @ McDonald Jones Stadium
 
Preview - The Knights will be shooting for two home wins in the space of eight days as they take on the struggling Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In Mitchell Pearce’s first game back, the Knights did well to rally from an early 10-0 deficit to cling on for a 20-18 victory over the Eels to get their 7th win of the season. The Titans were most disappointing for a second week running, going down 20-12 to a Roosters’ side missing all their Origin players, as their very slim finals’ hopes were officially put to bed. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Nathan Brown is forced into a backline reshuffle with Nathan Ross coming into the starting sign positions with Sione Mata'utiais out through concussion. Impressive young backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from suspension to add some punch to the Knights pack. 
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans welcome back Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave to strengthen their pack. Moeaki Fotuaika and Will Matthews move back to the bench. 
 
Verdict - Titans by 1-8 in a high scoring game

 Just a gut feeling here, but I'm going to go for the Titans. They have a good record over Newcastle over the years in Newcastle, and their last two away performances were outstanding against the Bulldogs and Tigers. I know they have been awful at home, however they’re the sort of side that often puts in two shockers then gets things together as an underdog. The Knights were ok last week, without being great, and I thought they benefited from a number of unforced and fundamental errors from the Eels who almost beat themselves. High scoring game with the game being played in the afternoon, but the Titans to edge it.