Sharks vs. Raiders odds, news & multi tips for NRL Saturday

THE premiers have bounced back well from their nightmare on the Gold Coast in round 19.

Solid wins against South Sydney and New Zealand have them back in the top three, two points behind second-placed Sydney Roosters.

Fa’amanu Brown left the field after a nasty head knock against the Warriors, but he has recovered well and is expected to line up at five-eighth on Saturday.

Jack Bird returns from a sternum injury, which sees Kurt Capewell drop back to the interchange bench.

Adam Clydsdale, named as the 18th man on Tuesday’s team sheet, is also in the reckoning as his old side comes to town.

We're back on home soil this Saturday to take on the @RaidersCanberra at @SCGroupTM Stadium!

?: https://t.co/cqPjQJuHjv#SharksForever? pic.twitter.com/HZyBA8BlFl

— Cronulla Sharks FC (@Cronulla_Sharks) August 1, 2017

For Canberra, only wins will do from here on in.

Last week’s 32-18 result over Souths leaves the Raiders four points outside the top eight with five rounds to play.

They will recoup some big names for the trip to Shark Park.

Josh Papalii returns to the side after serving a suspension, with Joe Tapine making way and Jeff Lima dropping down to the extended interchange list.

Jordan Rapana is also back from a ban, replacing Michael Oldfield on the wing.

NRL Team List v Sharks:
Big guns return for our clash in the Shire! ?

? & ? https://t.co/PbDok8R8yK #NRLSharksRaiders #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/LRsoZwEY1x

— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) August 1, 2017

With a pack of top-four wannabes right on their tails, the Sharks cannot afford to drop games like these.

Although the reigning champs have been a little more expansive in recent weeks, their stock in trade is to grind out ugly wins.

The bookies have 13+ points as the favoured option in the margin betting, but we are tipping it will be considerably tighter than that.

The crowds at Shark Park have witnessed their fair share of low-scoring slogs this season.

Indeed, only once this season have Cronulla won there when the total points tally has exceeded 40.

If they win as expected this weekend, there is a very good chance the combined scores will fall under the line.

There is one obvious choice in the tryscorer betting.

Sosaia Feki has crossed at least once in eight of his past 11 games, so back him in to make it nine from 12.