Both undefeated across the past fortnight, just one point separates the Knights and Panthers on the ladder ahead of their Round 7 meeting at McDonald Jones Stadium.
After an up and down opening few games, the defending premiers have returned to form in impressive fashion over the last two rounds, scoring 97 points and conceding just 24 in wins over the Raiders and Sea Eagles.
With Dylan Edwards firing at the back and Nathan Cleary pulling all the right strings in the halves, the Panthers have shaken off any suggestion of a Premiership hangover and now sit second on the Telstra Premiership ladder.
The Knights will be at home for the second week in a row and will be high on confidence following a tough 34-24 win over the Warriors, which ensured they finished Round 6 sitting inside the top eight.
If they are to be victorious on Saturday night they'll need to overcome a horrible recent record against Penrith, with just one win over them since 2016.
The Panthers have won the last three head-to-head clashes by margins of 18 or more, while at McDonald Jones Stadium they are undefeated in their last five visits.
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Team News
Knights: No late changes to Adam O'Brien's side. Phoenix Crossland starts at hooker as the Knights prepare for life without Jayden Brailey, following confirmation of an ACL injury for their skipper. Mat Croker is good to go after battling through a leg injury in Round 6. Dylan Lucas is the 18th man.
Panthers: Representative back-rower Liam Martin returns from the hamstring injury he suffered in Round 2 and will start in the second row. That sees Scott Sorensen revert to the bench and Lindsay Smith drop out of the 17 to become the replacement player. There were no other changes an hour out from kick-off.
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Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only one of their past 12 games against the Panthers.
- The Panthers have piled on 97 points in their past two games.
- Knights left winger Greg Marzhew has scored five tries in his past three games.
- The Panthers have not been defeated in Newcastle since 2015.
- Knights right winger Dominic Young has scored seven tries in his past four game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.