Sharks v Knights NRL round 24 betting picks & preview | 18/8/24

Sharks v Knights R24 best bets

Round 24: Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights match preview

Round 24 of the 2024 NRL Premiership wraps up in Cronulla with the Sharks looking to secure a top four spot heading into the finals, while the Newcastle Knights are fighting for the chance to fit into eighth spot on the ladder.

The home side has won three of their last five matches, including a 44-point drumming of the Titans on the Gold Coast. With games against the Dragons in Wollongong and the Sea Eagles in Brookvale to come, a win for the Sharks here will be crucial to securing a home semi-finals match this season.

The Knights have been struggling over the last month losing to the Sea Eagles, Broncos and Panthers before beating the Tigers in Newcastle last weekend. With matches to come against the Rabbitohs, Titans and Dolphins, a win here would bring an enormous boost to their chances of playing finals football.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named an unchanged line up following last week’s flogging of the Titans. However, front rower Braden Hamlin-Uele, winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and half Braydon Trindall have all been named in the reserves and could be a late inclusion prior to kick off.

Adam O’Brien has made just one change to his Knights side, welcoming back centre Dylan Lucas (hamstring) to the starting side in place of Krystian Mapapalangi.

Sharks v Knights Rd24 teams

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Samuel Stonestreet
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Blayke Brailey
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Siosifa Talakai
13. Jack Williams
14. Jayden Berrell
15. Billy Burns
16. Royce Hunt
17. Thomas Hazelton

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Fletcher Sharpe
3. Dane Gagai
4. Dylan Lucas
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Elliot
14. Jack Cogger
15. Mat Croker
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Brodie Jones

Cronulla Sharks v Parramatta Eels betting predictions

The Sharks opened as -238.1 Neds favourites to win this match, and the punters have supported their chance for winning at home on Sunday afternoon.

Cronulla have won three of their last five clashes with Newcastle, and the favourite has won each of the last 14 games between these two sides. With better form on their side, at their home ground and with the market support, the Sharks should secure a win in Cronulla by 12 points or less at +200 odds with top NRL bookmakers.

Cronulla fullback William Kennedy has struggled to find the in-goal area through the Sharks’ recent run of wins. The last time he scored was at this ground against the Dolphins, but in recent weeks he’s recorded more tackle breaks than that match. If the Sharks can get on the front foot in this match, space should open up for Kennedy to score at any time in the match (+145).

This match is likely to be a game with 49 points or less scored in the match, with an expectation for stronger defensive performances leading into finals. For both sides, three of their last five matches respectively have had less points scored than the total points line for this match.

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