Sharks vs Tigers Prediction: Rampaging Tigers to show their teeth again in 11/4 pick

| Friday 1st May 2026, 16:00

Friday 1st May 2026, 16:00

The high-flying Wests Tigers go in search of another statement win in the NRL Premiership on Sunday when they face the Cronulla Sharks at Shark Park (16:05 local, 07:05 BST, Watch NRL).

Benji Marshall has Wests running hot eight rounds in, with only narrow defeats to the Rabbitohs and Broncos halting their stunning progress so far. Here are my Sharks vs Tigers predictions, the latest team news and Betfred’s match odds.

Sharks vs Tigers Betting Tips

Handicap 2-way Alt 1: Tigers -0.5 @ 9/5
Double Result: Tigers-Tigers @ 11/4

*odds correct at time of publishing

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

Sharks vs Tigers Odds

The Sharks are given the benefit of the doubt by the bookies, with Betfred installing them as 1/2 favourites for the victory in 80 minutes.

The Tigers are a rather generous 7/4, implying a 36.4% probability, with the draw in normal time available at 16/1.

Team News

Cronulla welcome Cam McInnes back to the starting line-up after making his return to the squad against the Cowboys last week. That followed an extensive period out with ACL damage.

Briton Nikora also starts in the back row, so Jesse Colquhoun and Billy Burns make way and Hohepa Puru and Braden Hamlin-Uele are added to the six-player interchange.

Rugby League Odds

There are a number of changes for the Tigers, with injuries and suspension forcing coach Marshall’s hand.

Jahream Bula has a shoulder injury, Apisai Koroisau is banned, and Kai Pearce-Paul is under concussion protocols.

Sunia Turuva moves from the wing to full-back to replace Bula, with Jeral Skelton donning No.2. Tristan Hope comes in at dummy-half for Koroisau, while Tony Sukkar takes Pearce-Paul’s spot.

Handicap 2-way Alt 1: Tigers -0.5 @ 9/5

If this was 2025, I’d be backing the Sharks on home territory against a Wests side coming off three straight wooden spoons. And I’d be going big on it too.

But this is not 2025, and the Tigers are not struggling in the lower reaches as they did once more 12 months ago. This might even be a club ready to end 1 15-year drought without Finals football.

Which is why I think the readers have got this one wrong this week. The Sharks might have a decent home record over the years, but Marshall has really got the Tigers going this season and I don’t think it can be considered a flash in the pan anymore.

So I’m on Wests for the win this weekend, and the miniscule handicap disadvantage boosts the return ever so slightly.

Sharks vs Tigers - Handicap 2-Way Alt 1

Tigers -0.5

9/5

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Double Result: Tigers-Tigers @ 11/4

There’s a couple of options for my second tip, including looking at the Sharks for Under 29.5 points at 10/11.

But there’s value in getting behind Wests to build a lead by the break and maintain it to the hooter, with the 11/4 implying a 26.7% chance that I say is on the low end given that four of their five wins so far have come off the back of a half-time edge.

Sharks vs Tigers - Double Result

Tigers-Tigers

11/4

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

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