What a heavyweight clash we have in store on Saturday night, as the top of the table Cronulla Sharks host the defending Premiers, the Penrith Panthers. The Sharks have shown over the past fortnight that they are true contenders this season, can they confirm it with a win here over the favourites for this year’s Premiership? We shall see.
Below, we will dissect the matchup, supply our Best Bet, and suggest a Same Game Multi. Be sure to head over to our NRL Tips page regularly, 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
NRL Round 12 Preview & Betting Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers
PointsBet Stadium, Saturday 25th May, 5:30pm (AEST)
Last Week
The Sharks confirmed their status as one of the true Premiership contenders last weekend, with a tremendous 38-30 victory over the Roosters in Magic Round. It was a cracking back-and-forth battle, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess. It was a tremendous team performance from the Sharks, with contributions all over the park, and once again Nicho Hynes had the ball on a string, finishing with three line-break assists and two try assists.
As for the Panthers, they put forward one of their worst performances in recent memory last week, going down 22-20 to the Warriors. The attack was extremely clunky with Jarome Luai and Jack Cole in the halves, and it took individual brilliance for a couple of their tries. They were unable to build pressure, and their 11 errors (most occurring in the first half) isn’t what we’ve come to expect from the Panthers.
Match Preview
The Panthers and Sharks met once last season, and it was dominant performance by the eventual Premiers, as the Panthers won 28-0 at home in round 22. The Panthers closed 16.5-point favourites in the game, showing the massive difference 10 months has made to markets, with the Sharks apparently on the up, and the Panthers sliding according to the market. As for the total, it closed 44.5, and was never really in danger of being hit.
Onto this weekend then, and as mentioned the outlook on these teams has changed markedly since that round 22 clash at the end of July last year. The Sharks opened as 1.5-point favourites prior to last weekend’s games finishing, before re-opening this week as 3.5-point favourites. The market is undecided though, as some 2.5’s are now showing, indicating money on the Panthers. Most people are happy to snap up the Panthers when they are underdogs, and it’s hard to disagree. However, I make the Sharks 4-point favourites, meaning there is some value in the home side here against the spread.
As for the total, it opened 39.5 last week, before re-opening at the same number on Monday. Overs money has filtered in, with the total bumped up to 40.5. I make a fair 37.5, however the Panthers burnt me last week on the unders, with their defence and discipline letting them down.
As hard as it is to go against the Panthers, the gulf in form between these teams right now is just too large. At Shark Park, with Nicho Hynes looking to put his stamp on the Blues number 7 jersey, I fully expect the Sharks to get this done, and I think there’s every chance they could humble the Panthers here and win by double digits.
Sharks -2.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Sharks (13+) – See above, the Sharks could humble the Panthers this week, in a result that would turn the competition on its head.
R Mulitalo (1+ try) – The Panthers have conceded 56% of their tries on their right edge. Expect Mulitalo to and a try this week.
D Edwards (1+ try) – Edwards is the straw that stirs the drink for the Panthers right now, and if anyone is going to make this a competitive game for the Panthers, it’s their fullback.
SGM Odds: $20.30 at Neds
