Round 7 concludes with a fascinating matchup between two teams with top 4 aspirations, as the Cowboys head to the Shire to take on the Sharks, who led the competition heading into round 7. Both teams are teetering on the edge of contender and pretender, and the result of this one should give us a great indication of where these teams are at.
Below, we will dissect the matchup, supply our Best Bet, and suggest a Same Game Multi. Be sure to keep up to date with all the NRL fixtures, as we preview every single game all season long, for free!
Also, if you’re new to sports betting or betting on the NRL, check out the following articles to help build your knowledge:
- Guide to Betting on the NRL
- Where to Bet on the NRL
- Factors to Consider When Betting on the NRL
2024 NRL Round 7 Preview & Betting Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
PointsBet Stadium, Sunday 21st April, 4:05pm (AEST)
Last Week
The Sharks faced a tough test last week, having to travel to Accor Stadium to take on a fired up Rabbitohs side, and despite the Rabbitohs’ desperation, the Sharks were the far better team, winning 34-22. Statistics didn’t dictate the game, with the Sharks and Rabbitohs evenly matched through 80 minutes in most statistical areas. It was the clinical nature of the Sharks inside the redzone which got them the victory, with the spine of the Sharks really starting to click.
The Cowboys’ last start loss to the Eels looks a hell of a lot worse following the Eels destruction at the hands of the Dolphins on Friday night. Despite sitting at 4-2, a deeper dive into the Cowboys’ form indicates they aren’t quite as good as their record may suggest. Yes, they seem to be able to put points on the board, averaging the most points per game in the competition (29.5), however defensively they have struggled, conceding 24.8 points per game, the third most in the competition. This week, they get a Sharks team that has scored 30+ in their last two games, which is worrying for the Cowboys.
Match Preview
The Sharks have an amazing recent record against the Cowboys, winning 10 of the past 11 matches against the boys from Townsville. Quite amazingly, the sole win for the Cowboys came in Golden Point, in the first week of the 2022 NRL Finals series at PointsBet Stadium (32-30). They met twice last season, with the Sharks spanking the Cowboys 44-6 at home in round 9, before once again getting the better of the Cowboys in Townsville in round 25, winning 32-12. The Sharks closed 10.5-point favourites at home in round 9, whilst the Cowboys closed 5.5-point favourites at home in round 25. The totals closed 42.5 in round 9, and 46.5 in round 25.
As for this clash, the Sharks opened 2.5-point favourites, with a total of 44.5. These numbers haven’t changed all that much, with the Sharks still sitting as 2.5-point favourites, with the total bumped up to 45.5. I believe there is good value in the Sharks here, and as much as I believe they are more pretender than contender, they have two good wins this year over the Warriors and Raiders. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have lost two of their past three games, with their sole victory coming over a poor Titans team. Whilst my numbers only make the Sharks a 4.5-point favourite, I like them to win this game comfortably at home.
I also see some value in the total, with the Cowboys looking like a dead over team. They’ve got to 20 points in every game this season bar one and are 5-1 to the overs in their 6 games. Whilst the Sharks haven’t been an over team all season, their past two games show that their attack is starting to gel, and they should easily get to 24+ against the Cowboys this week.
Prop Bet: Ronaldo Mulitalo (2+ tries) - $4.50 at NEDS
Sharks -2.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
