The final game this weekend is a genuine ‘match of the round’ between the Knights and Sharks. Each side is inside the Top 8 and it is highly likely that they will again face one another in the Finals. Winning form is key at this stage of the season and this game promises to be exhilarating. BeforeYouBet is here to take a detailed look at the action. Hopefully, we can help find a winner to add to your viewing enjoyment.
NRL Round 26 Preview & Betting Tips
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks
McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday 27th August, 4:05pm (AEST)
Preview
The Knights delivered their 7th straight victory with an impressive 29-10 victory over the Rabbitohs in front of their home fans. Clearly the better team in the contest, they lead from the 5th minute onwards and never looked back. Their execution was impressive; with 55% possession they completed at 82%, made more total and post contact metres and had 10 line breaks. They will need to improve their 42 missed tackles and 5 conceded line breaks but there is no doubt that this is a team playing with confidence.
The Sharks have had an extended break leading into this game, with their 32-12 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville taking place last Thursday. Surprisingly heading into the game as outsiders, the Sharks controlled every area of the game to overpower their opponents. Leading 18-12 at HT, they kicked into another gear in the second half and their opponents were unable to match them. With a slight edge in possession (51%), they had an inferior completion rate (79%), but averaged 9.3m per carry and slightly more line breaks (4). The pressure they absorbed at different times in defence meant they missed 44 tackles, but they can take confidence away from the fact that they kept their opponents scoreless in the second half.
Verdict
The form of the Knights has them as strong favourites for this game ($1.67 vs $2.20) and it is hard to disagree. They are playing very well but this run could come to an end here against the Sharks, a team who has already defeated once already this year (Round 12 – 26-6). The home ground advantage also counts for something; the Knights have won 3 of the past 4 games here against the Sharks, with an overall record of 54% compared to the Sharks 39%.
The odds should be far closer than what is listed. The attacking averages for the season are only separated by 1 point (Knights 25ppg vs Sharks 26ppg) and so too is the defensive average (19ppg vs 20ppg). This suggests that we are in for a genuine Finals preview, with the result likely to be very tight. Use that to your advantage and see which team prevails with momentum at the end of full time. For the sake of picking a H2H winner, there is a slight lean towards the Sharks, but the absence of Kennedy is still questionable. With the form of key Knights players at an all-time high, they too are hard to overlook but a loss now wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to them ahead of the Finals.
Either Team by 8.5 points or less $2.20 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Popular bookmaker Picklebet have launched their Same Game Multis for both the AFL and NRL. There are plenty of markets to choose from an excellent odds on offer, so make sure to check them out!
Leg 1: Mulitalo to Score
Leg 2: Young to Score
Both are the lead try scorers at their clubs and will be a threat on the edge again. Each aims to also dominate their opponent so expect both to take an opportunity to get ‘one up’ over an opponent.
SGM Odds: $3.70 at Picklebet (0.5 Units)
