Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks NRL preview and tips | 28/4/24

Raiders vs Sharks best bets

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks NRL Round 8 preview

Round eight of the 2024 NRL Premiership wraps up in Canberra, with the Raiders hosting the in-form Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium.

This is the second time this season the two clubs will meet since the Sharks Sharks won by 14-points in Cronulla. The Raiders have since beaten the Titans before injury re-railed their match against the Broncos in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the Sharks have belted the Rabbitohs and Cowboys.

Canberra Raiders Head coach, Ricky Stuart will coach his 500th game in the NRL without first-choice halfback Jamal Fogarty (injury, bicep), with Kaeo Weekes named to make his debut for the club in Fogarty’s place.

Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named Daniel Atkinson to play five-eighth in place of Braydon Trindall (stood down). Sione Katoa has also been named to return from suspension on the wing in place of Samuel Stonestreet.

Raiders v Sharks team lists

Canberra Raiders

1. Chevy Stewart
2. James Schiller
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Simi Sasagi
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Tom Starling
15. Ata Mariota
16. Trey Mooney
17. Pasami Saulo

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Nicholas Hynes
8. Thomas Hazelton
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Jack Williams
15. Siosifa Talaki
16. Toby Rudolph
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Raiders vs Sharks R8 betting predictions

The Raiders have been well supported in betting markets, shortening from $3.20 into $2.85. However, the Sharks are still expected to start as firm favourites with the top Australian bookmakers.

Betting market support for the Raiders seems to stem from the fact they have won each of their last five matches against the Sharks, with four of those five wins coming by 1-12 point margins. However, the Raiders have lost Jordan Rapana, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, and Zac Hosking since their last match. With halfback Nicho Hynes controlling the Sharks attack, the visitors should be far too good for the Raiders and cover the -7.5 point line ($1.90).

The Raiders struggled to go with the Broncos attacking juggernaut last weekend and will face similar issues with Hynes and the Sharks this Sunday. The visitors have scored more than 30 points in each of their last three games, with Hynes alone recording five try assists. Expect the Sharks to continue their incredible attacking form, resulting in +43.5 total match points ($1.90).

With Hynes expected to take more control of the game against the Raiders, second-rower Briton Nikora will likely benefit greatly in attack. Over the last two weeks, he has had limited opportunities with the ball in hand, a trend that should change if the Sharks attack becomes more dominant down their right-hand side of the field. Should they attack the right more often, Nikora will have every opportunity to score a try at any time during the match $3.60).

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