NRL: Two into the eight won't go

Finals football has come a week early for both Newcastle and Penrith, with the winner of today's all-important match guaranteed a place in the top eight.

For the loser, it is the end of the line.

It is the only match today which will decide who makes the playoffs, with Brisbane merely playing for revenge and their position on the table when they host Canberra.

They were smacked 56-0 when the two sides met five weeks ago, a result which snapped the Broncos out of their mid-season malaise and set them on course for their 16th-straight appearance in the playoffs.

The remaining match is hardly one to quicken the pulse - except for nervous Roosters fans wary of picking up the wooden spoon - as Sydney host the Cowboys.

Most interest, though, will centre on Newcastle.

The Panthers will travel to EnergyAustralia Stadium knowing an upset over the Knights will secure their first finals appearance since 2004. It will also make amends for last year's end-of-season fade that cost them a place in the playoffs.

Neither side is in particularly good form, though.

The Knights were trounced 30-14 by Canberra last Monday night, while Penrith were beaten 48-6 by Parramatta in a lop-sided contest.

They aren't the only side to suffer at the hands of the Eels recently and coach Matthew Elliott will impress on his charges to play their natural game and not try too hard.

"If I start asking people to do something special, they will think it's going to take something special to win the game," Elliott said. "You just play your best footy, it's that simple."

If Newcastle win as expected, they will likely meet the second-placed Bulldogs in the first round of the finals next weekend.

The Dragons are likely to host the Eels and will be looking for a repeat of their 37-0 trouncing of a Parramatta side previously on a run of seven-straight wins.

They claimed the minor premiership with that win but have their eyes on a bigger prize.

The Titans might host the Broncos, while Manly and Melbourne, last year's grand finalists, look set to face off in the remaining qualifying final.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP