Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans Predictions: Still enough bite in Sharks attack

Cronulla Sharks are clinging on to their spot in the top four of the NRL, but a recent blip has brought doubts over their end of season aspirations, and they will be looking to get back on track against a Gold Coast outfit who they have dominated in recent seasons.

Read on for my Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans preview, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

Thomas Hazelton will start in the forwards ahead of Toby Rudolf, who drops to the Sharks bench, while Daniel Atkinson comes in for Sione Katoa who is out with concussion.

AJ Brimson replaces injured Jayden Campbell, and Jojo Fifita returns on the wing with Phil Sami switching to the centres. Mo Fotuaika returns from Origin duties as well with Josiah Pahulu moving back to the bench.

Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans Odds

The Sharks are 1/3 to take the win, with a victory for the visiting Titans available at 12/5, while Cronulla are 4/6 to score over 27.5 points.

Cronulla Sharks -10 @ 1/1

A seven-match winning streak propelled the Sharks into minor Premier territory but they have floundered in recent weeks and face a fight to get back in calmer waters as the race for the play-offs gathers pace.

Cronulla have lost four of their last five matches and suddenly their golden period seems a distant memory. Things improved when they lost by a golden point to the Bulldogs last time, but they will need to find more to hold off their rivals who are closing in on the top six places.

This week's fixture looks like almost the perfect match to get back on track as the home side have a fantastic recent record against the Titans, particularly at this venue.

It's nine wins on the bounce in this match-up for the Sharkies, who have never lost at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium to these opponents. They are warm favourites to recover some of their early-season form with a victory but it may not be as one-sided as odds of ⅓ suggest.

Gold Coast have had a week off to prepare for this clash as they look to improve their lowly position of 15th in the NRL standings.

A morale-boosting 66-6 thumping of the Warriors means they will enter this contest in good spirits so more competitive showing can be expected compared to how things may have been earlier in the campaign.

It was 36-6 to the Sharks when these two met at this venue last season, but they approach this outing totally off-colour so a more modest margin of victory looks likely.

Back them to cover a 10-point handicap but don't expect them to completely run away with things.

Under 47.5 total match points @ 10/11

Cronulla may have dominated this fixture recently but they are often tight contests, and they have rarely cut the Titans down to size in victory.

The last eight meetings have been settled by winning margins of 30, 8, 7, 28, 12, 30, 8 and 14 so given the Sharks' current frame of mind, it may pay to expect a more cautious outcome this week.

The Sharks have won just one of their last five matches and their desperation to improve on that may lead to a nervy performance, while the Titans have scored no more than 10 points in the last two head-to-heads, so going low on points may also reap rewards.

The last eight meetings have seen points totals of 42, 28, 43, 48, 48, 50, 44 and 26 so the 10/11 about their being fewer than 48 points scored in this encounter, could be another solid wager.

Find more Rugby League Tips here at Betfred Insights