Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Predictions: 9/1 for rally to seal Magic Round clash

The biggest weekend of the NRL Premiership’s regular season continues on Saturday as the ladder-leading Cronulla Sharks face the Sydney Roosters in a mouth-watering Magic Round encounter at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (kick-off 08:30 BST, 17:30 local).

The Sharks arrive at Lang Park with a six-game winning streak to defend against Roosters outfit who have chalked up 138 points in three successive convincing wins. My Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters predictions certainly won’t be talking up a low-scoring contest.

Team News

Cronulla head coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be banking on New South Wales hopeful Nicho Hynes overcoming a calf injury in time to make what many are calling a State of Origin audition ahead of Game 1 of the much-anticipated series on June 5.

The scrum-half was withdrawn from the victory Melbourne Storm in round 10 due to tightness in the muscles, but he has been named among the initial 22 and Fitzgibbon will likely give his star half as long as possible to prove his readiness.

The Sharks are definitely without Tuby Rudolf (knee) and Jesse Colquhoun (foot), with Blayke Brailey likely to switch back to hooker if Hynes doesn’t make the cut and Cameron McInnes reverting to 13.

Joey Manu is ruled out for the Roosters due to a failed concussion assessment, though he is expected to remain against the Canberra Raiders next week. He joins Billy Smith (ankle) and Michael Jennings (triceps) on the physio table but Brandon Smith is set to return from a calf issue.

Roosters to score first try and be leading at HT - Price Boost @ 6/4

I’m not mad keen on the Roosters to win this one, but the Price Boost on offer here with Betfred is too tempting. They’re on offer at 6/4 (from 5/4) to cross first and hold a half-time lead, and I think that could well happen in what should be a highly competitive fixture.

They had opened up a 22-0 lead in the blink of an eye last week against the Warriors (OK, it was actually 12 minutes), and while they have taken the lead in only three of their 10 games to date I reckon that’s an anomaly that will level out in time.

And the 6/4 is probably worth considering in what could be the week they start to balance that ledger, especially when paired with the fact they have led at the break in 60 per cent of their games in 2024.

Double Result: Roosters-Sharks @ 9/1

Here’s where I square the circle in my mind since I think the Sharks are set to continue their great run with a Magic Round win. I can get on board with the Roosters starting out well, but if Nicho Hynes is fit and available I still have the feeling that Cronulla get this one done.

In a weekend festival which will be without so many of the NRL’s leading stars, it would be great to see Hynes at full pelt on the big stage ahead of Origin. And with a supporting cast which boasts the likes of Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and Briton Nikora, this feels like a squad which is ready to keep rolling for the time being at least.

The 9/1 odds imply a 10% probability, but I'm happy to say there's a bigger chance than that.

You can read all our latest Super League Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Super League content hub.