Few expected these sides to reach the 2026 NRL Grand Final, as Sydney Roosters prepare to take on Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium on Sunday morning.
The Knights stunned Penrith Panthers last weekend to win 22-14 on the road and next they head to Accor Stadium to face a Roosters side that sank the Dolphins with a 36-20 victory in Brisbane.
It’s all or nothing for these sides on Sunday and a nail-biting encounter might well be in store in this season's NRL Grand Final.
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Tips Summary
Best Bet - Newcastle Knights +7.5 handicap @ 1.93
Alternative Bet - Dominic Young anytime tryscorer @ 2.45
Bet Builder - Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia & Fletcher Hunt anytime tryscorers @ 13.00
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Prediction
Best Bet: Newcastle Knights +7.5 handicap @ 1.93
Coming out on top in a dramatic game against the Panthers, in which the turning point was a horrendous leg injury to Penrith star Nathan Cleary, the Knights managed to edge an emotionally charged preliminary final.
The Knights have gone to the well time and time again but having had that highly-charged game against the Panthers, it's tough to see Newcastle causing an upset on Sunday, especially with just one player in their ranks who has played Grand Final footie previously.
As for the Roosters, this side is full of big-game players, while they also have a great record in this fixture, winning all of their last six encounters with Newcastle.
So, the Roosters are fancied to claim the victory but don’t expect the Knights to go down without a fight.
The last encounter between these teams ended in a 23-22 victory for the Roosters at Newcastle back in July and another similarly tight encounter might well be on the cards in this high-pressure final.
With that in mind, the Knights are backed with a +7.5 handicap here.
Alternative Bet: Dominic Young anytime tryscorer @ 2.45
Coming into form at the business end of the season, Newcastle’s English winger Dominic Young is hard to overlook in the anytime tryscorer market.
Scoring tries in seven of his last eight appearances, including in all of his last four matches, Young in the anytime tryscorer market is available at a generous 2.45.
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Bet Builder Tip
Mark Nawaqanitawase anytime tryscorer
Robert Toia anytime tryscorer
Fletcher Hunt anytime tryscorer
Pays 13.00
This Bet Builder continues to focus on the anytime tryscorer market for this Grand Final, with Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Tfoia and Fletcher Hunt all tipped to go over in the big game this weekend.
Scoring braces in his last two games, Nawaqanitawase is fancied to touch down again on Sunday, as is team-mate Robert Toia, who has scored tries in each of his last five appearances for the Roosters.
Completing this three-fold, Hunt has scored five tries in his last three games for the Knights and is also backed to produce a tryscoring display in the biggest game of them all at Accor Stadium.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Sydney Roosters have won their last six games against Newcastle Knights
The Roosters won 23-22 at Newcastle in the last meeting between these sides back in July
Newcastle have won five of their last six away games in the NRL
The Roosters have won eight of their last 11 home games
The Roosters won their last home game against Newcastle 38-24 back in April
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
