Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
9th August 07:05hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Sharks to win
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 9/5 odds taken 02:04 GMT Thursday, 6th August
Cronulla have put together a nice bit of form for themselves as they have won their last three fixtures.
Will they be able to throw down a challenge to the Parramatta Eels who are on a two-match winning streak.
The Eels have been a lot less stable recently though than they were through the early stages of the campaign.
Table of Contents
Cronulla Sharks Preview – Can the Sharks upset Parramatta?
This should be an interesting game. The Sharks collected a win over the struggling Broncos last weekend
That was their fourth win in their last five games, the red-hot Panthers being the only ones to get the better of them in that sequence.
The Sharks have been scoring very well recently and have tallied at least 36 points in three of their last five.
They averaged 26 points per game during this campaign, which is four points per game on average, more than the Eels.
But they have not been anywhere near as tight in defence as the Eels have been, so that could be a key difference.
Even with them carrying good recent form the Cronulla Sharks are 9/5 underdogs for this game, making them a very appealing option* (odds taken 02:04 GMT Thursday, 6th August).
The average winning margin for the Sharks this season is 15.7 points but it’s a little unreasonable to think that they will be likely to topple the Eels by such a margin.
But most certainly a +6 handicap option on the Sharks at even money offers some nice coverage* (odds taken 02:04 GMT Thursday, 6th August).
Last season Cronulla and Parramatta traded league wins.
However, the Sharks have dropped just one of their last seven fixtures against Parramatta.
Sione Katoa is the current NRL leader for tries this season with 12 on the board.
Parramatta Eels Preview – Can the Eels handle the Sharks?
Last weekend the Eels snuck a 2-point margin victory over the struggling Bulldogs.
That did make it back to back wins for them, and four in their last five as well.
But they have been struggling to replicate early-season form. Two of their last three wins have been by margins of 6 points or less.
It’s hard to knock a team that is W10 L2 for the season and they ended the last round of matches with the best defensive record in the ladder.
It’s just been the indifferent form as of late that has to be worrying coach Brad Arthur. They just have not been as dominant in fixtures.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Parramatta Eels have to come under threat in this one, especially with their head to head.
But they have only conceded the 12 points per game and even if they are not clicking in attack, their defence isn’t likely to fall apart.
This fixture is being played at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, a venue at which the Eels have won 2 of 9 visits.
In their designated away games this season the Parramatta Eels are 4-2.
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Betting Advice
We see a big opportunity to back the Sharks in this one. They have the better form of the two going into this one.
Cronulla are scoring far more freely than the Eels are at the moment, and even though the latter is defensively sound, the Sharks are positive in attack and can get at them.
Key Facts – Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Betting Tip
- Cronulla Sharks have their last 3 league games
- Cronulla Sharks have won 6 of their last 7 against the Eels
- Parramatta Eels have the best defensive record in the NRL
There is the head to head record going firmly in favour of the Sharks as well from recent meetings.
That’s another factor which is just helping push us towards a home win, but the +6 handicap coverage isn’t bad at even money isn’t bad on Cronulla* (odds taken 02:04 GMT Thursday, 6th August).
The best betting odds for Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
Cronulla Sharks to win: 12/1 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Parramatta Eels to win: 10/11 at Bet365
