Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks NRL betting tips – July 6, 2023

Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks best bets

Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks NRL R19 match preview

Round 19 of the NRL Premiership kicks off this Thursday at CommBank Stadium with the Wests Tigers hosting the Cronulla Sharks. After suffering the biggest defeat in NRL history last weekend, the Tigers will be looking to bounce back this round.

With both Braden Hamlin-Uele (ribs) and Dale Finucane (suspension) out of the Sharks line-up, Toby Rudolf has been named in the starting side. Cameron McInnes also joins the forward pack, while Jess Colquhoun comes onto the interchange bench.

The Wests Tigers have lost Alex Twal to suspension, while Brent Naden and David Nofoaluma have both out with shoulder injuries. Asu Kepaoa and Tommy Talau come in to fill out the back half, with Aitasi James set to make his NRL debut off the interchange bench.

Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks betting strategy

The Sharks are one of the best attacking teams in the NRL, having scored more than 400 points this season. The Tigers, on the other hand, have conceded almost 400 points as one of the worst defensive teams in the competition. The top NRL bookmakers are offering excellent value at $3.11 for the Sharks to cover the line of -29.5 points.

The Cronulla Sharks’ left-edge attack was in elite form in during their emphatic win against the Dragons last weekend. Siosifa Talakai’s damaging ball-running and Ronaldo Mulitalo’s speed and athleticism make the combination almost impossible to defend. Look for the pair to continue their try-scoring form with Talakai scoring any time ($2.35) and Mulitalo bagging another double ($3).

Nicho Hynes was also in brilliant form last weekend, setting up three tries and scoring one of his own. The 2022 Dally M Medal winner will look build on last week’s performance and secure another try ($2.95) as his exceptional season continues.

This season, the Sharks have played teams outside the top eight on six occasions. Five of these matches have exceeded 50 total points. Also, when facing the competition’s bottom three sides, the Sharks have put 40 or more points on their opponents each time. Look for this trend of high-scoring matches to continue with the total points for this clash exceeding 47.5 ($1.90).

Key matchup: Briton Nikora v John Bateman

Briton Nikora vs John Bateman

Cronulla’s Briton Nikora has shown himself to be one of the best second-rowers in the NRL this season and is a candidate for the Dally M Team of the Year. On Thursday, Nikora will line up against on John Bateman, the 2019 Dally M Second-Rower of the Year. Nikora one of the best line-runners in the NRL, but Bateman’s immense strength and agility in defence will certainly test the Sharks star.

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