Sharks vs Roosters Prediction: 6/1 tip for an all-time NRL classic

Two of the proudest names in Australian rugby league come head-to-head on Saturday with a place in week two of the NRL Premiership finals up for grabs when the Cronulla Sharks meet the Sydney Roosters at Sharks Stadium (19:50 local, 10:50 BST, live on Sky Sports Mix).

The second of the day’s elimination finals pits together two sides who ended the regular season in decent form. And that will make my Sharks vs Roosters predictions, which follow below with the latest team news and Betfred’s match odds, all the more difficult.

Sharks vs Roosters Odds

It’s the visiting Roosters who have the slight favour of the oddsmakers, with Betfred making them 4/6 for the victory in 80 minutes.

Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks are 5/4 to progress, with the draw – and a nervy period of golden-point extra-time – being an 18/1 prospect.

The Roosters are giving up 1.5 points on the standard two-way handicap, with their price lengthened to 4/5 in return. The Sharks are 20/21 to get over the line with the leg-up.

Team News

The Sharks have a double-boost in relation to half-back availability, with Nicho Hynes having escaped a suspension over a dangerous-contact charge and Bryadon Trindall back in the mix after an ankle injury.

Daniel Atkinson steps down to 18th-player duties to make way for Trindall, while Briton Nikora could be a late addition having been named on the reserve list after a three-game ban.

Trent Robinson rolls out the same side which hammered the Rabbitohs last week to reach the finals, meaning just one change in the last two fixtures after Sam Walker came back in for Sandon Smith following their come-from-behind masterclass against Melbourne Storm.

Rugby League Odds

Sharks by 1-5 @ 6/1

This should be an absolute belter, with the Sharks pitting a run of seven wins in eight against the Roosters’ five-in-six streak which landed them in the finals with little to spare.

There’s every chance this turns into one of the greatest finals fixtures in modern times, and whoever wins it probably won’t do so with too much to spare.

The Chooks were big winners over Cronulla back in Round 12 in May, triumphing 42-16 on the Central Coast, but the pair are in very different places from four months ago and there’s a hell of a lot more at stake.

I just fancy the Sharks on familiar turf, since they are coming off a 10-2 record in 12 home ties in the regular season.

The benefit of having Trindall and Hynes to call upon cannot be underestimated, and I think the halves can make the big difference in key moments.

With little to choose between the side, I’m backing the 1-5 margin rather than 1-12 to increase the value with the 6/1 price available.

Sharks-Sharks @ 19/10

Home advantage in a major play-off fixture is normally key to not just getting on the right end of the scoreboard but also setting the tone early in the game.

And a packed-out Shark Park can be a daunting prospect for opposition teams, so to that end I think the Sharks get ahead early and then ride the wave as the Roosters look to claw their way back.

So the 19/10 Betfred are quoting for a Sharks-Sharks double result suits my thinking down to the ground. It implies a 34.5% probability, but I think that’s on the low side considering the play-off tax.

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