Sharks vs Raiders NRL Round 2 betting tips – Sunday, March 21

Sharks vs Raiders betting preview

The Cronulla Sharks performed better in round one of the 2021 NRL season than many thought they might, which has made this a harder game to pick than what it may have been 10 days ago. The Raiders in the first half last week looked to be in a little bit of trouble against the Tigers, but they were given a chance in the second half and went on with it. Canberra won four of six away games in Sydney in the 2020 regular season, which included a 38-28 win over the Sharks when Ricky Stuart played the ‘Baby Raiders’.

Key matchup: Cronulla vs Top 8

August 3, 2019 is the last time Cronulla beat a team inside the top eight. Last year they became the only team in history to qualify for the NRL finals without beating a fellow finalist, so it surprised nobody that they were cannon fodder in the post-season. The longer that streak goes, the more it will hurt them mentally when they come up against the Eels and the Roosters in the coming month. It’s a monkey they just have to get off their back.

Cronulla Sharks betting info

Even in back-to-back losses against Canberra last season they were able to score 20 points on both occasions. They’ve averaged 24 per game since the start of 2020 but have conceded the exact same number on average in that time, so they’ll forever be a candidate for overs to get up every week. Their average winning margin is 14 points since the start of 2020, so if you fancy the upset, the $8.50 is a fantastic price for the 13+ win.

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Josh Dugan
4. Mawene Hiroti
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Matt Moylan
7. Chad Townsend
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Aaron Woods
11. Briton Nikora
12. Wade Graham
13. Toby Rudolf
14. Connor Tracey
15. Aiden Tolman
16. Jack Williams
17. Billy Magoulias

Canberra Raiders betting info

Don’t expect the Canberra Raiders to start as slowly as they did last week. Like the Sharks, when they win they are more than likely to fall into the 13 plus margin, so the $2.70 is where you should be looking. The heavy rainfall predicted might slow most teams down, but Canberra are more than accustomed to playing with a slippery football with cold conditions. We sense there is joy to be had around the Sharks’ middle and Josh Papalii will crash over and salute at $4.

Canberra Raiders

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Sebastian Kris
4. Curtis Scott
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Dunamis Lui
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Joseph Tapine
14. Siliva Havili
15. Ryan Sutton
16. Iosia Soliola
17. Ryan James

Sharks vs Raiders betting predictions

For the last game of the round we think the big men will reign supreme in the wet conditions. Either Braden Hamlin-Uele, Josh Papalii or Ryan James will score, and it will be sensational. If you can get $8 for Hamlin-Uele like we’ve seen floated in some markets, give it a crack.

Sharks vs Raiders same game multi

We like the Raiders 13+ with Josh Papalii and Sione Katoa to score at anytime, which pays a handy $21 at Sportsbet.