NRL Saturday: Raiders v Knights betting tips, prediction & odds, round 9, 2021

NRL round 11: Raiders v Storm betting tips

Canberra v Newcastle match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga, on Saturday, May 8.

This is a match-up in the country between two teams which have had poor starts to the season after much was expected of them in 2021, particularly the Raiders.

Ricky Stuart’s team has lost four matches on the bounce and another loss will just about kill off their dreams of finishing in the top four, given the cracking pace being set at the top of the table.

On the positive side, three of those losses have been against big guns Penrith, Parramatta and South Sydney, so it’s not as bad as it may appear, though the loss to the Cowboys was painful.


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In the only meeting between Canberra and Newcastle in 2020, the Knights triumphed 34-18 in round four at Campbelltown Stadium.

Newcastle have problems of their own, having lost five of their past six matches to sit alongside the Raiders with 3-5 win-loss records.

This is the opening match of NRL Super Saturday, with the Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans match following from Campbelltown at 5.30pm, and the North Queensland Cowboys-Brisbane Broncos derby from 7.35pm at Townsville.


Raiders v Knights team news for round 9

Canberra regain big bopper Josh Papalii, who returns to the side at the expense of veteran prop Ryan James, who drops out of the 17.

English halfback George Williams (hamstring) was withdrawn just before the game against Souths last week, but has been named to start this week. Speedy centre Sebastian Kris (ankle) has also been named but must be in some doubt to face the Knights.

The Knights, already without veteran halfback Mitchell Pearce for an extended period, must do without another veteran playmaker in Blake Green (ribs). Young Phoenix Crossland gets his chance in the No.7 jersey.

Newcastle regain powerful winger Hymel Hunt after a hamstring issue, with Starford To’a making way for him.

Read on for our Raiders v Knights tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Saturday, May 8.


Raiders v Knights

Kick-off: 3pm local time
Venue: McDonalds Park, Wagga
Head to head odds: Canberra $1.48, Newcastle $2.65
Line betting: Canberra (-5.5 points) $1.90, Newcastle (+5.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 44 points: over $1.90, under $1.90


Raiders v Knights free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted free Canberra-Newcastle tips for Saturday afternoon’s game.

Jordan Rapana to score 2+ tries

Rapana is seemingly the only Raider with the ability to get over the line this season. The winger has scored eight tries in eight matches for a struggling side, so if the Raiders can turn it around here you can expect Rapana to be prominent on the scoresheet..

Raiders -6.5/over 42.5 points match total

This option with TopSport is paying $3.40. We have done well on Raiders games of late tipping against the Green Machine but this is line-in-the-sand time for them. The Knights are a useful side but somewhat rudderless, though they are always dangerous with Kalyn Ponga in the side. We expect the Raiders to get back on the straight and narrow and win this one.


Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights prediction 8-5-2021

This is only the second NRL match played at McDonalds Park, Wagga, with Canberra beating Penrith 30-12 in the only previous match there in 2019. This should similarly be fairly free-scoring, with a clear day forecast. The Raiders are not travelling well but they have too much quality to completely fall away and they will enjoy the change from their home ground GIO Stadium where they have struggled. We think Ricky Stuart’s men can grind out a result. Our Raiders v Knights prediction: Raiders by 8 points.


Raiders v Knights lowdown

How can I watch the Raiders-Knights clash?

Fox League and KAYO will telecast the game.

How can I bet on the Raiders v Knights clash?

All of the top International betting sites will offer markets on the NRL.

What time does the NRL Round 9 Canberra-Newcastle game start?

The match kicks off at 3pm AEST

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