Broncos vs Sharks Prediction & NRL Betting Preview

The NRL champions Brisbane Broncos are desperate for a win on Saturday to end their seven-game losing skid, with the Cronulla Sharks bidding to become the fifth straight side to take points away from Suncorp Stadium (7:35pm local, 10:35am BST, Watch NRL).

Michael Maguire’s side are now in the bottom three and any hope they had of reaching the finals appears to have gone. My Broncos vs Sharks predictions are below, with Betfred’s match odds and the latest team news.

Broncos vs Sharks Betting Tips

Sharks by 1-12 @ 21/10
Kotoni Staggs Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Broncos vs Sharks Odds

It makes sense to see Brisbane pitched as the outsiders given their horrific run of form, which has seen them go through the entire calendar months of May and June without a win.

They’re 9/5 to buck that trend against the Sharkies, with Cronulla 1/2 for the victory.

It’s 16/1 about a draw in 80 minutes, while there’s a couple of Betfred Price Boosts available too. It’s 3/1 (from 5/2) for Deine Mariner and Sione Katoa to both score tries, while you can get 10/3 (from 3/1) about the Broncos turning a half-time lead into a win.

Team News

Big news out of the Broncos camp this week came in the shape of Josiah Karapani’s latest club suspension after a DUI misdemeanour.

His absence adds to the losses of State of Origin reps Reece Walsh and Payne Haas.

Xavier Willison is available though after proving his fitness after a head injury, while Hayze Perham, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner and Va’a Semu all come in for starts.

Grant Anderson moves out to the wing to make way for Shibasaki, and Jesse Arthars is dropped to the bench to allow for Mariner’s return.

Rugby League Odds

For the Sharks, Addin Fonua-Blake and Blayke Brailey are away with the NSW Blues, while Briton Nikora faces off against them for Queensland.

Tom Hazelton, Jayden Berrell and Billy Burns step in for the missing trio.

Sharks by 1-12 @ 21/10

Even if they are the reigning champions, it’s hard to throw one’s weight behind any side on a seven-game losing streak.

I’d normally be fairly all-in on the Broncos picking up the points here, but I just can’t see beyond the Sharks.

Yes, Cronulla are without three big names due to Origin, but the Bronx themselves are missing Karapani, Walsh and Haas. They’re big losses for a side who could do with every available resource just now.

I’m fancying the Sharks to edge what could be an absolute stormer of a contest at Lang Park.

Kotoni Staggs Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

While Kotoni Staggs has recorded just one try in the last six games, it’s hard to imagine such a run continuing for too long.

He had seven in as many outings heading into this current streak, and it’s not a great shock that his lack of scoring of late has coincided with the Broncos’ huge downturn in form.

The powerful centre ought to be one of Brisbane’s biggest threats here, and so I’m backing him to cross at a 6/4 price which implies a 40% probability.

That’s on the high side compared to recent form but still low according to his record of six scoring appearances in 13 (46.2%) over the campaign as a whole.

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Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £30 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Bet Builder Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs Apply.