The Raiders will be happy to be back home in round 8, as they are set to take on the rampaging Sharks for the second time in a month, with the Sharks riding high on the back of a three-game winning streak. With both teams missing one of their starting halves, this should be a very interesting matchup to see where these teams sit with their revised spines.
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
2024 NRL Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks
GIO Stadium, Sunday 28th April, 4:05pm (AEST)
Last Week
The Raiders were humbled last week, going down 34-10 in a one-sided loss to the Broncos. This was off the back of a tough 1-point win over the lowly Titans in round 6, indicating the Raiders are struggling a little for form at the moment. With 13 errors and 36 missed tackles last week, coach Ricky Stuart would have been ropable with the Raiders performance. Generally, when this is the case, we get a far better performance the following week from the Green Machine. In what could be a huge loss though for the Raiders, halfback Jamal Fogarty was lost at the beginning of the second half, with scans revealing a ruptured bicep, leaving him out for around three months.
As for the Sharks, they were simply sensational last week, dismantling the Cowboys 42-6 in their most impressive display this season. The Sharks completed at 90%, whilst gaining 400 metres more than the Cowboys, running away with it in the seven tries to one demolition. Nicho Hynes was back to his best, running for 130 metres, making 31 tackles, whilst creating a line-break assist and two try assists.
Match Preview
These teams met twice last season, with the Raiders winning 24-20 at home in round 3, before the Sharks got revenge in round 27 at home, winning 24-6. The more relevant clash though, is the one played just four weeks ago at PointsBet Stadium, with the Sharks winning 36-22, despite trailing 18-0 after 25 minutes. The Sharks closed short 2.5-point favourites in this one, indicating the market viewed these teams as essentially identically rated. Meanwhile, the total closed 40.5, with the over never really in doubt.
The Sharks opened 3.5-point favourites prior to last weekend’s matches, and with the loss of Fogarty have pushed out to 7.5-point favourites. Both teams will be starting a relative rookie in the halves, with the Sharks having the obvious advantage of Braydon Trindall having far less an effect on the Sharks than Fogarty has on the Raiders. The question that needs to be asked however, is whether or not Fogarty is worth four points to the spread. The concern for the Raiders is the kicking game, with neither Weekes nor Strange showing they can be a chief playmaker in the NRL. I do like the Sharks to get the win here; the question is whether they can cover the spread.
The total opened 42.5, and it has predictably gone up to 44.5. I’d make a fair total 45.5, so don’t see a tonne of value here. I’m also reluctant to go too hard at a total with a new member for each spine.
So, a tough game to handicap for mine. The Sharks have the numbers to be the bet, however all of the emotional, subjective factors push me towards the Raiders, with their ability to bounce back after a tough loss, being at home, and the potential lookahead spot for the Sharks, who play the Dragons next weekend. I will take the Raiders with the start, however, will keep the staking low for this one.
Raiders +7.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
Sharks ML – Despite me liking the Raiders with the start, I still like the Sharkies to get the job done, with their form just too good right now.
R Mulitalo (1+ try) – Try scoring machine, with 8 tries in 6 games to start the season. The Raiders right edge is their weakness, and with Nicho Hynes likely swinging both sides of the ruck, I like Ronaldo to get another.
H Young (1+ try) – One of the premier try scoring edge back rowers in the competition, Young will have as good a chance as anyone for the Raiders this week. The Sharks are leaking their tries in the middle, and with Fogarty out, expect the Raiders to go centre and left with regularity.
SGM Odds: $8.23 at Neds
