Sharks v Bulldogs NRL R16 betting tips – Sunday, June 18

Sharks v Bulldogs betting predictions

Sharks v Bulldogs match preview

Round 16 of the 2023 NRL Premiership wraps up in Cronulla this Sunday with the Sharks hosting the Bulldogs at PointsBet Stadium.

The Sharks have been forced to make one change, with Royce Hunt (foot) to be replaced by Braden Hamlin-Uele in the starting side. Tom Hazelton comes onto the bench, while Toby Rudolph has been named in the reserves with the possibility of returning early from his own foot injury.

The Bulldogs have made only one change, with Braidon Burns replacing Josh Addo-Carr as the star winger prepares to suit up for New South Wales in game two of the 2023 State of Origin series next Wednesday.

Fans and punters alike can be almost certain that Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes – dropped by NSW for Origin II in Brisbane – will be ready for an enormous game to remind Blues selectors why he has arguably been the best player in the NRL for the last 18 months.

The Sharks deserve to be red-hot favourites at their home ground and should secure a big win over the Bulldogs. The 19+ margin looks a good play at $2.20 with BetOnline.

Last week against Melbourne, Hynes struggled to run the football as he normally does. However, he was able to break two tackles and create second-phase play with three offloads.

Expect an improved running game from the 26-year-old that should bring more positive plays for the Sharks. We also like the big odds for Hynes to complete a try-scoring double ($17).

The Sharks may well target fill-in Bulldogs winger Burns, who made his return in the NSW Cup last week after time out with a knee injury. He may struggle with the high energy, elite footwork and aerial acrobatics of Sione Katoa, making the Cronulla flyer a decent bet to score two or more tries ($4.30).

The Sharks will take the field at almost full-strength on Sunday, especially if Rudolph can return to the side via the interchange bench. The power this side has through the middle third of the field is immense, which grants the outside backs attacking opportunities from all over the park.

Expect Hynes and the Sharks to put on a try-scoring clinic that will see the total points in this game exceed the 44.5 line ($1.91).

Key matchup: Nikora v Preston

Briton Nikora vs Jacob Preston

Briton Nikora has once again been one of the best second-rowers in the NRL this season, while Jacob Preston has starred in his rookie year at the top level. Preston has missed less than two tackles per game on average, but the strong lines and brilliant late footwork of Nikora will be the biggest test of the young Bulldog’s career to date.

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