Cowboys vs Sharks Prediction: Cronulla can capitalise to bring in 12/5 bet

| Thursday 23rd April 2026, 7:00

Thursday 23rd April 2026, 7:00

After their four-game winning run in the NRL Premiership came to a shuddering halt against Manly, the North Queensland Cowboys host the Cronulla Sharks in Round 8 on Friday with the two sides locked on eight points apiece (18:00 local, 09:00 BST, Watch NRL).

Having quietened rumours about his future with that excellent form through March and early April, Todd Payten will be hoping his side can respond quickly to last week’s 38-6 loss. My Cowboys vs Sharks predictions follow, along with full team news and Betfred’s match odds.

Cowboys vs Sharks Betting Tips

Sharks by 1-12 @ 12/5
Cowboys Under 23.5 Points @ 6/5

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Cowboys vs Sharks Odds

There’s very little to separate these two, according to Betfred’s traders.

North Queensland start at 21/20 for the win in 80 minutes, which implies a 48.8% probability of a home victory. Cronulla, meanwhile, are narrow favourites at 5/6.

The draw is a 16/1 shot, with the Sharks giving up just half a point on the two-way handicap market. They’re 10/11 in that setting, with the Cowboys 5/6.

Team News

Payten has plenty of returning stars to call upon, with Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Reed Mahoney all back at the plate.

Both Taulagi and Mahoney are free of concussion protocols after head knocks, while Nanai has made his way back from shoulder surgery following the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Soni Luke is a sub having stepped in for Mahoney last week, while Zac Laybutt is only on the reserve list as Taulagi comes in wearing five.

Rugby League Odds

Cameron McInnes’ inclusion on the interchange bench is the headline news for the Sharks, with the skipper back after an ACL injury.

Mawene Hiroti moves to the wing to make room for Siosifa Talakai in the centres, with Sione Katoa dropping down to number 22.

Sharks by 1-12 @ 12/5

I’ve been very impressed by the Cowboys so far in 2026, but this will be a new kind of test for them after last week’s hammering against Manly.

This game sees them come up against a super-talented Sharks outfit well marshalled by coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

While this could well be a tight tussle, the sight of a teamsheet featuring the likes of Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy helps me to favour the Sharks for the win.

The victory by no more than two scores is an appealing 12/5 bet with Betfred at an implied probability of 29.4%.

Cowboys vs Sharks - Winning Margin 1-12

Sharks by 1-12

12/5

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Cowboys Under 23.5 Points @ 6/5

There are a few more slugfests going on around the NRL this year, but I don’t see this one quite making it to that category.

The Cowboys might have racked up 30 or more points in three of their four wins, they’re not a side particularly well set up to take opponents apart.

I think the Sharks add to their three-from-six record for keeping the oppo below the 23-point threshold so far this season.

They did, after all, go 11 straight games without conceding 23-plus to end 2025.

Cowboys vs Sharks - Cowboys Total Points 23.5-26.5