Raiders vs Sharks Prediction: Sharks to take a bite out of reeling Raiders

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Raiders vs Sharks Odds

There’s some real tentativeness on show from the bookies for this one, with very little to split the two sides on the Match Result market.

The Raiders are given the nod by Betfred, but not with any real conviction. Ricky Stuart’s side are 5/6 for the win at an implied probability of 54.5%, while the Sharks can be backed at 11/10.

The draw is a relatively-slender 14/1, while the Sharks benefit to the tune of just 1.5 points in the regular two-way handicap. They’re 10/11 with that narrow edge, with the Raiders 5/6 to overcome the minor difference.

Team News

Former Wigan Warriors loose forward Morgan Smithies starts at prop for the Raiders in the absence of the suspended Josh Papali’i.

Ethans Sanders and Strange again start in the halves, with Savelio Tamale maintaining a spot on the wing after his brace against the Bulldogs.

Rugby League Odds

There’s a first start since shoulder injury for the Sharks’ Teig Wilton. He comes into the back row for Briton Nikora, who is missing due to a broken nose.

Craig Fitzgibbon’s only other change sees Hohepa Puru included among the six options on the interchange bench.

Sharks by 1-12 @ 23/10

Anyone following my tips over the past couple of years will know that I don’t go against the Raiders at GIO too often.

The Green Machine have had a good thing going on home soil, and the atmosphere created between the players and fans was a large part of the reason for their regular-season successes last season.

But just as that confidence evaporated in the Finals as they became the first table-toppers ever to be eliminated with back-to-back losses, their 2026 campaign has shown little by the way of belief.

Even when victorious at Manly, the Raiders threw away a 14-point lead in the last seven minutes against a side who have been so bad they’ve already sacked coach Anthony Seibold.

There really is something fundamental missing from Stuart’s troops at the moment, and while Cronulla have also lost their last two I just have more belief in them finding the right formula sooner.

This could well be won in the halves, and I can’t see Sanders and Strange having quite enough to outplay Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes.

It could be close, but the gut tells me there’s more pain to come in Canberra before things start to turn. The 23/10 about an away win by upto two scores looks extremely appealing.