Sharks vs Knights Prediction: Sharks can take a bite out of Knights

Battling for a place in the top four in the NRL standings, Cronulla Sharks will be hoping to continue their impressive record against Newcastle when they host the Knights at Sharks Stadium on Sunday morning (05:00, Watch NRL).

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Sharks vs Knights prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Sydney.

Rugby League Odds

Team news

The Sharks go with a pack consisting of Jesse Colquhoun, Teig Wilton, Billy Burns, Toby Rudolf, Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake.

In the backs, the hosts go with Nicholas Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Ronaldo Mulitalo, KL Iro, Mawene Hiroti, Sione Katoa and William Kennedy.

As for the Knights, the visitors go with Tyson Frizell, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jermaine McEwen, Leo Thompson, Phoenix Crossland and Jacob Saifiti in the forwards.

Jack Cogger, Jake Arthur, Fletcher, Bradman Best, James Schiller, Dominic Young and Dane Gagai start in the backs.

Match odds

The Sharks are the heavy favourites at 1/10 to claim the three points on Sunday, while the Knights are 6/1 to cause a major upset against their New South Wales rivals.

A draw is available at 25/1, while Cronulla to win both halves is currently 8/13.

Cronulla Sharks -18 (three-way handicap) @ Evens

Winning five of their last six games against the Knights, the Sharks have been the dominant force in this fixture over recent seasons.

Sharks Stadium has certainly not been a happy hunting ground for the Knights of late, with Newcastle’s last win at this venue coming back in 2014.

Following New Zealand Warriors’ somewhat surprising 26-22 defeat at home to Parramatta Eels, Cronulla’s top-four hopes have been given a boost ahead of this fixture.

Cronulla go into this game fresh after last week’s bye and the Sharks are good value to win convincingly and cover the -18 handicap on offer for Sunday’s NSW showdown.

Over 49.5 total points @ 5/6

Injuries have taken their toll on the Knights and Newcastle are having to rely on academy stars to try and fill the void left by seasoned pros.

While these players do look to have a bright future ahead of them, there is likely to be more short-term pain before the club feels the gain from this new generation of stars.

The Sharks’ last home game saw them beat Gold Coast Titans 54-22 and another high-scoring encounter might well be on the cards in Sydney this weekend.

Newcastle have conceded 82 points in their last two away games in the NRL, so going for over 49.5 total points in Sunday’s match appeals here.

 Rugby League Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.