The battle of 1 versus 2 on the competition table is a tantalising prospect for all NRL fans this Friday night.

Finals football has arrived a month early for these two sides, with the loser of Friday night's stoush facing an uphill battle to keep in touch with the eight.

Will the Knights sparkle like diamonds or fade further down the ladder after their clash with the Storm on home soil.

Wests Tigers must put their off-field dramas to bed as they travel north on a short turnaround in the hope of saving their 2014 campaign.

Former coach Ricky Stuart faces a tough 'homecoming' when the Raiders travel to Darwin to take on the Eels on Saturday night.

The Sharks must have felt like they were watching a preview of their own worst nightmare when the Warriors demolish the Canberra Raiders 54-18 last Sunday.

The Dragons are fast approaching do-or-die mode and need to defeat the Panthers in Wollongong to start to build some momentum.

Can the Titans climb off the canvas and deliver their outgoing coach John Cartwright a final, fitting send-off against the defending premiers?