Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos Predictions: Broncos to win high-scoring clash

The Newcastle Knights and the Brisbane Broncos clash in a crucial NRL round 20 fixture on Saturday night with both clubs aiming to maintain top-eight challenges. The Knights currently occupy 10th spot on the ladder with 20 points, but their Finals’ series prospects were dealt a blow in a heavy defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles last week.

This home game at McDonald Jones Stadium (kick-off 08:30am BST) is a chance for Newcastle to put further distance between themselves and the Broncos, who lie down in 13th place after a narrow home loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons made it six defeats in a row.

Rugby League Odds

Newcastle are 6/4 to get back to winning ways against Brisbane on Saturday.

The Broncos are 4/7 to get back on track after their loss last week and the 80-minute draw is available at 20/1.

Brisbane are 10/11 to overturn a four-point handicap with the Knights at Evens to keep the visitors at bay with the buffer.

Match Odds

Team News

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien welcomes back three State of Origin players - Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best - to the Knights’ backline.

Adam Elliott has been ruled out with a minor calf issue, so Dylan Lucas switches from centre to lock while Brodie Jones, who was on the bench at Manly last week, misses out altogether after a head knock.

As for Brisbane, Origin stars Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh will all start after being passed fit.

Skipper Adam Reynolds returns at halfback after overcoming a bicep injury, but Selwyn Cobbo sits out another game with groin soreness.

Backline duo Josh Rogers and Tristan Sailor have been left out of the squad while forward Kobe Harrington drops down to the bench.

Brisbane Broncos to win @ 4/7

The Broncos will be desperate to snap a six-game losing sequence against an opponent they have mastered in each of the teams’ last four meetings.

The return of Reynolds, who scored and converted the winning try when these sides last met, could be crucial for the Broncos.

Brisbane missed the halfback’s kicking and organisational ability in their 26-30 loss to the Dragons.

Newcastle, meanwhile, turned in a soft defensive display at Manly to drop their fourth game in six.

The Knights have not beaten a team in the top eight since their round eight win over the Dolphins and could succumb at home to a Broncos team that won at manly in round 11.

Over 48.5 points @ 10/11  

Newcastle’s defensive horror show at Manly last weekend saw them give up six tries before the hour mark.

And the Knights needed two late tries from Bradman Best to stave off a comeback from the Parramatta Eels, who have won four games all season, a couple of rounds before.

Reynolds’ return should bolster Brisbane’s attacking potency too, which makes the over an enticing play at the points total of 48.5, which has been surpassed in two of Brisbane’s last three games and four of Newcastle’s last seven.

Rugby League Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.