Dolphins vs Sharks Prediction & NRL Betting Preview

After seeing their eight-game NRL Premiership winning run brought to an end in dramatic style in Newcastle last week, the Dolphins are out to bounce back when they face the Cronulla Sharks at Kayo Stadium on Saturday (3pm local, 6am BST, Sky Sports Action).

It’s a battle of fifth versus sixth in Redcliffe as two of the lead candidates for a Finals berth come head-to-head. My Dolphins vs Sharks predictions follow, with Betfred’s match odds and full team news.

Dolphins vs Sharks Betting Tips

Sharks +6 @ 10/11
Jake Averillo Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Dolphins vs Sharks Odds

Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins are 8/13 for the win, with the Sharks a 7/5 chance.

It’s 14/1 about the draw in 80 minutes, while Jamayne Isaako is the 13/2 favourite to score the first game’s first try.

Team News

Woolf’s initial 17 is unchanged, meaning it will take late calls for any of his Origin stars to be included after the Blues clinched a series win on Wednesday.

Jack Bostock will definitely not be a part of the action after failing an HIA during the second half of his New South Wales debut.

Rugby League Odds

There’s also little change for the Sharks, with Craig Fitzgibbon calling up the same squad which beat the reigning-champion Broncos last Saturday.

Fitzgibbon also keeps his Origin reps in reserve, with late decisions to be made on their potential involvement.

One tweak sees Jayden Berrell named as the starting hooker in a straight swap with Hohepa Puru.

Sharks +6 @ 10/11

I’m not expecting the Dolphins to stay out of the winning circle for too long, with last Saturday’s narrow loss to an excellent Knights side unlikely to bring the world to a halt.

This should be an incredibly close game though, so the six-point handicap in the Sharks’ favour is appealing.

If Braydon Trindall, Will Kennedy and Nicho Hynes are on form, they can even win. But the back-up of a one-score buffer really does have me thinking we’re onto a winner here.

Jake Averillo Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

Having returned to the Dolphins lineup against Brisbane last week, Jake Averillo has the opportunity to repeat his form of the early season.

He’s on six tries in eight games all told, having a 62.5% scoring record. So the 40% implied probability about an Averillo try here massively underestimates Averillo’s ability to make a mark on the scoreboard.

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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.

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.