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Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL Round 23 Tips - Panthers to make it 9 straight

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Tue 05 Aug 2025 13:26

Ryan Tucker 05 Aug 2025

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Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers expert predictions for Friday’s Round 23 NRL game
Kick off is at 6:00 PM (AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium
Penrith Panthers likely to secure a strong win over Newcastle Knights in Round 23.
Knights struggling with both offense and defense, average 29.5 points conceded last four games.
Penrith on an 8-game winning streak, top in NRL defensive rankings last five games.

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL Round 23 Tips

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers, Round 23 2025 - Expert Prediction

Newcastle did well earlier in the season to beat Penrith but they are both drastically different teams now and Penrith will prove it with a decisive victory in this game.

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers, Round 23 2025 - Expert Prediction
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Round 23 Cheat Sheet
Head to Head
Newcastle Knights Form Analysis
Newcastle Knights Team News
Newcastle Knights Team List
Penrith Panthers Form Analysis
Penrith Panthers Team News
Penrith Panthers Team List
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23 FAQ’s

The Knights have lacked scoring pressure this season, even when they have had their top players available to them. Over their last 4 games, all losses, they have failed to score more than 18 pts in each with an average of just 16.25. Even their defence, which was the basis of their team structure, is trending in the wrong direction. They have given up 29.5 per game to opponents during the stretch, all 4 games against top 8 opponents.

The Panthers on the other hand are trending in the right direction, they have won 8 straight and average 32 pts per game over their last 4, all against Bottom 9 teams. They are the top ranked defensive team over the past 5 games and are also now the top ranked team for average Run Metres.

Penrith are starting to peak at the perfect time and the Knights will do little to stand in their way. Take the Panthers 13+ and to go Over their Team Total. Take Tom Jenkins as the tryscorer with his strike rate at an elite level this season.

Penrith hold a dominant 9-1-1 record in the H2H over Newcastle since 2019.
The Panthers are the top ranked defensive team over the past 5 games allowing just 10.8 pts per game to opponents while putting on 27.2 pts per game themselves, 4th best in the NRL.
Newcastle have allowed 27.6 pts per game to opponents over their last 5, 14th in the league.
Thomas Jenkins has scored 11 tries in his last 11 games, failing to cross on only 3 occasions during that span.

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Round 23 Cheat Sheet

Knights vs Panthers Rd23 Cheat Sheet

Head to Head

Newcastle won the battle earlier this season in Bathurst 25-6 but it has been slim pickings for them in the head to head matchups in recent times. Penrith held a 9-1-0 advantage heading into the Rd 12 matchup earlier this year with 1 of those games being decided in Golden Point extra time.

The Under has hit in 5 straight games and in 8 of the last 11 while the 19 point margin last game broke a trend of 4 games decided by 8 points or less.

Newcastle Knights Form Analysis

The Knights had their final bye of the season last weekend and are hoping that the week off helps them to reset after losing 4 straight heading into the break.

Last start they were put through the cleaners by Canberra, losing 44-18. The scores were locked at 18-18 at the main break and things were looking ok for the Knights despite them missing a big chunk of their attack.

But the second half was a different story as they once again allowed their opponent to run away with the game and were unable to make inroads in the Raiders defence to get themselves into a spot to build pressure. They are the worst scoring team in the league.

Newcastle Knights Team News

Bradman Best returns for the Knights with Kyle McCarthy the man to make way. Both Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble have been dropped with Jake Arthur set to pair with Jack Cogger in the halves.

Thomas Cant and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana have been promoted to the bench with Jack Hetherington also overlooked this weekend.

Newcastle Knights Team List

1. Dane Gagai

2. Dom Young

3. Fletcher Hunt

4. Bradman Best

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Jake Arthur

7. Jack Cogger

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Leo Thompson

11. Jermaine McEwen

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Phoenix Crossland

Interchange

14. Thomas Cant

15. Mat Croker

16. Tyson Frizell

17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Reserves

18. Tyson Gamble

19. Jackson Hastings

20. Kyle McCarthy

21. Jack Hetherington

22. Matthew Arthur

Penrith Panthers Form Analysis

Panthers fans were treated to a rollercoaster last weekend as their team eventually locked up an 8th straight win, this time in Golden Point against the Titans 30-26.

Leading 24-0 at the break, the cue was essentially put in the rack for Penrith but their opponent came storming home off the back of 60% possession thanks to the Panthers giving away 6 penalties and 6 errors in the half.

They gave up the lead with 6 minutes remaining and it was a Nathan Cleary 2pt field-goal special from 42m out that levelled the scores with a minute remaining. The composure of the team a reminder to fans of the journey they have been on over the past 5 years. They then sealed the deal with a try in extra time.

Penrith Panthers Team News

Isaah Yeo will miss this weekend after picking up a shoulder injury. Isaiah Papali’i replaces him at lock with Scott Sorensen coming onto the bench in his return from injury.

Luron Patea has been swapped out for Matt Eisenhuth on the interchange.

Penrith Panthers Team List

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Thomas Jenkins

3. Izack Tago

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To'o

6. Blaize Talagi

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. Lindsay Smith

11. Luke Garner

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange

14. Brad Schneider

15. Liam Henry

16. Matthew Eisenhuth

17. Scott Sorensen

Reserves

18. Paul Alamoti

19. Jack Cole

20. Daine Laurie

21. Mavrik Geyer

22. Luke Sommerton

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23 FAQ’s

How to watch Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23?

You can watch the Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23?

To buy tickets to the Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Round 23 game check the NRL website or the official Newcastle Knights site.

Verdict

Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers

Take the Panthers 13+ and to go Over their Team Total. Take Tom Jenkins as the tryscorer with his strike rate at an elite level this season.

Penrith 13+

Winning Margin

$1.95 - 3 Units

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Tom Jenkins

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