NRL Round 6 preview: Sharks v Sea Eagles betting tips

Best bets for Sharks vs Sea Eagles

NRL Round 6: Cronulla Sharks v Manly Sea Eagles preview

The Cronulla Sharks will host the Manly Sea Eagles in a crucial NRL Round 6 showdown at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday afternoon.

Both clubs head west coming off defeats. The Sharks were sunk by a last-minute Raiders try in Canberra, while Manly were blown away at home in a 48-24 thrashing by Melbourne.

With both sides aiming to return to the winners’ list and big attacking weapons on display, this neutral-venue clash is shaping up as one of the most entertaining matchups of the weekend.

Cronulla sit at 2-3 and have questions to answer after letting back-to-back games slip, particularly with star half Nicho Hynes under pressure to rediscover his match-winning form.

The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, have been explosive in attack but alarmingly brittle in defence, conceding an average of 30 points per game and dropping two of their last three.

Both sides welcome key players back into their forward packs, and with dry conditions expected in Perth, a high-scoring contest is well and truly on the cards.

The top NRL betting sites have priced Cronulla as $1.45 favourites after dominating this matchup in recent years, winning four of the past five meetings against Manly — including a 40-20 demolition in their most recent clash.

Sharks vs Sea Eagles NRL Round 6 team news

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Samuel Stonestreet
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Mawene Hiroti
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicholas Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Toby Rudolf
17. Thomas Hazelton
18. Tuku Hau Tapuha
19. Billy Burns
20. Hohepa Puru
21. Jayden Berrell
22. Jesse Colquhoun

Craig Fitzgibbon regains back-row duo Teig Wilton (illness) and Siosifa Talakai (concussion), who slot straight back into the 17. Billy Burns and Tuku Hau Tapuha drop out.

Manly Sea Eagles

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Clayton Faulalo
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Aloiai
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Nathan Brown
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley
18. Tommy Talau
19. Aaron Schoupp
20. Jake Arthur
21. Lachlan Croker
22. Michael Chee Kam

Josh Aloiai returns to the starting side, with Toafofoa Sipley moving back to the bench, while Corey Waddell is out suspended. Hooker Lachlan Croker is edging closer to a return and is named among the reserves. The backline remains unchanged, with Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks leading the spine.

Sharks vs Sea Eagles NRL Rd 6 betting predictions

The Sharks have covered this line in four of their last five wins over Manly and come into this game with more stability in their spine. Hynes will be out to respond after two quiet outings, and with key forwards returning, they have the pack to control territory. Expect Cronulla to tighten up their defence and win by at least six points at $1.90 with BetOnline.

Briton Nikora crossed twice last week and remains one of the most consistent edge forwards when it comes to line running and support play. He’ll target Manly’s left-edge defence, which was torn apart by the Storm last round. At $2.40 with the top online bookmakers, he’s one of the best value try options across the Round 6 slate.

Both teams have been involved in several high-scoring affairs this season, with Manly’s last seven away games going over the total line. With dry conditions expected and attacking threats across the park, this could be a free-flowing, high-tempo game. The over has also hit in two of Cronulla’s last three, so the over 48 points market with BetOnline looks like a good bet.

Sports betting tips