Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks: Still enough bite in the Sharks attack

Cronulla Sharks are top of the pile following 11 rounds of action in the NRL but the leaders were given a wake-up call by reigning champions Penrith Panthers with a 42-0 drubbing last time out.

That loss snapped a seven-game winning run for the Sharks but they should be able to respond against Parramatta Eels despite having several star names away on State of Origin duty. The Eels, despite being favourites for this match, are in a sorry state and they may find themselves out of their depth against the Sharks who are looking to bite back.

Team news

Eels' skipper Clint Gutherson (knee) and halfback Mitch Moses (foot) are set to return from injury, while centre Will Penisini (infection) is also named in the starting 13. Brendan Hands takes over at hooker with Joey Lussick relegated to the reserves. Wiremu Greig has been recalled for his first game since round five and will join the interchange alongside Blaize Talagi, Shaun Lane and Makahesi Makatoa.

For Cronulla, Braydon Trindall returns to the side to fill the void left by Nicho Hynes who is on State of Origin duty with New South Wales. Jack Williams starts at lock in place of forward Cameron McInnes who is also away with the Blues. Toby Rudolf is back from a knee injury to bolster the bench.

Cronulla Sharks to win @ 11/10

First play 15th in this NRL regular-season contest and it is hard to fathom why the Eels go off as odds-on shots for victory.

The Sharks must make do without star men Hynes and McInnes who are away with New South Wales, but there is still plenty in the Cronulla camp to suggest a comfortable victory on Thursday.

The league leaders have been in fantastic form, but they find themselves having to dust themselves off from last week's 42-0 battering at the hands of Penrith.

However, the Panthers are capable of doing that to most sides, so the Sharks can be expected to bite back this week.

They have won their last three games at CommBank Stadium and they have lost just two of their 11 matches this season. Three of the last five meetings have gone Cronulla's way so the 11/10 about them winning again this week should be gobbled.

Over 22.5 total Cronulla match points @ 10/11

Things have been going swimmingly for the Sharks in 2024 but in contrast, the Eels look to be swimming against the tide on a regular basis.

Parramatta have lost five straight matches and they are struggling to keep their heads above water. They shipped 42 points to bottom of the table South Sydney last time out, and conceding points is a huge issue.

The Eels have conceded at least 30 points in six of their past seven games, and even without Hynes, the Sharks are fancied to post plenty of their own.

It's 10/11 that they plunder at least 23 on Thursday and that looks like another decent bet.