Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights Predictions: Knights eager to build on recent success

Two teams on the cusp of the NRL's top eight will meet on Sunday as the Manly Sea Eagles host the Newcastle Knights at Brookvale Oval (07:05, Sky Sports Action).

Read below for my Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights predictions and all the latest team news heading into this NRL clash.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

Star half-back Daly Cherry-Evans produced the goods to help the Sea Eagles win in Golden Point last week, but he is unavailable this time due to his State of Origin commitments.

Tom Trbojevic moves to full-back, with Tolu Koula now on the sidelines with a knee injury. Tommy Talau moves to the centres, while Lehi Hopoate switches to the wing, and Jamie Humphreys is Cherry-Evans' replacement.

Knights trio Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dane Gagai are all on Origin duty, while Enari Tuala is unavailable due to a calf injury.

Fletcher Sharpe comes in at full-back, while Krystian Mamapalangi, Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant also come into the fold for the Knights.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Manly are 4/9 favourites on home soil, while the draw is 20/1, with the Knights considered 19/10 outsiders for Sunday's encounter.

The Sea Eagles are 1/1 to cover the -8 handicap, while the total points line is set at 49.5, with those expecting a high-scoring game able to back the over at 5/6.

Manly Sea Eagles to win the first half @ 4/7

Last week's win over the Cowboys will have given everyone connected to the Sea Eagles a huge lift. The Sea Eagles have struggled with consistency for the majority of the campaign, but winning one of the most entertaining games of the season will have done them the world of good.

Anthony Seibold's side have won five from six games, and they should come flying out of the blocks on Sunday morning.

Newcastle Knights +8 @ 20/21

While Manly have been strong at home, they will be without their best player this weekend. Cherry-Evans' influence on the team is huge, and the Knights have won four of their last five games away from home.

The Knights have won two in a row, and while they are also lacking some of their flair players, they can at least call upon Jackson Hastings in the halves, and he is an experienced campaigner.

Hastings has already featured in 14 of the Knights' 16 games, so he should have no problems settling his teammates into their groove.

Manly's squad is more experienced than that of Newcastle but the Knights should not be disgraced on their travels.

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