Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers
11th July 0600hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Sharks +6 Handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July
This should be one of the highlights of the NRL weekend as the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers square off.
They are both on a three-match winning streak at the moment. The Panthers have been superb solid all season.
But as the Sharks have just recently upped their game after a slow start, this isn’t the easiest of times for the Panthers to be facing them.
Table of Contents
Cronulla Sharks Preview – Can Sharks pull off the upset?
The Cronulla Sharks are 6/4 underdogs in Sharks vs Panthers NRL betting* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July).
Let’s get that one out of the way first of all. But they have come into some very nice form recently.
It is a three-match winning streak that the Sharks have put together, taking down the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Titans in that streak.
Impressive the Sharks have scored 40 points exactly in both of their last two successes.
Considering that they did collect a home win over the Panthers in last season’s Premiership, then they are well up for consideration in NRL betting for this one.
The Sharks are W4 L4 this season now, all four of their wins happening inside their last five played.
So they have momentum and have actually scored more points this season than the Panthers have done.
But in no way do they match up to the fantastic defense of the Panthers, so that could be a difference-maker.
A Cronulla Sharks +4 in the handicap looks just a little tight for us, so pushing out to +6 is probably worth the sacrifice in odds for 10/11* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July).
How likely is the win for Cronulla? Maybe a look at the head to head for Sharks vs Panthers NRL betting will help figure that out.
Cronulla were on a seven match winning streak against the Panthers before losing their last match-up with them, which was in August last year.
Overall since 1998 the Sharks are 22-14 up in the head to head against Penrith (D1).
There will be a lot of pressure on Shaun Johnson for the Sharks in this one with the goal-kicking. Only three players have converted more successful kicks than he has in this season’s NRL.
Penrith Panthers Preview – Big test of Penrith’s title ambitions
The Penrith Panthers have really been a success story this season.
After a win last weekend over the Wests Tigers, they finished the round in second place in the latter.
That was their third straight win on the spin having taken out the Storm and the Rabbitohs as well in that sequence.
The Panthers are now at W6 D1 L1 this season with the table-topping Eels the only ones to have beaten them.
We have already mentioned their defence, and Penrith are only averaging 13 points per game against them this season.
In comparison the Sharks have conceded an average of 19 per game, but Cronulla have been slightly better in putting points on the board.
So this should be a cracker. Interestingly in their last two games against the Sharks, Penrith have been well ahead at half time.
They were leading 14-0 at the break when they met in round six last season and crumbled to a 24-20 defeat.
Then they were leading 20-4 at half time in the second meeting, just hanging on for a 26-20 win.
But to be fair, Penrith are a much stronger, more balanced team than they were last season and have shown title credentails.
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They have star playmaker Nathan Cleary who is in some good form as it stands.
You wouldn’t expect him to miss too many opportunities at goal if they come along.
From a try-scoring perspective Stephen Crichton may be worth a poke as he has touched-down four times in his last three games.
Crichton is a 6/4 option in the anytime try scorer market to keep that streak going* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July).
Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers Betting Advice
What a game we have where. Three straight wins for the Sharks and a positive recent head to head over the Panthers makes them a threat.
It’s been an average of 32 points per game scored by them in their last three fixtures, so are on fire in attack.
However, two of their last three wins have come against the bottom two sides in the ladder, the Bulldogs and Titans.
Key Facts – Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers Betting Tip
- Cronulla Sharks have won their last three games
- Cronulla Sharks have won 7 of their last 8 against Penrith
- Penrith Panthers are W6 D1 L1 this season
The Panthers meanwhile have held their own against tougher opposition like the Melbourne Storm and the Rabbitohs and the stubborn Wests Tigers in their streak.
Penrith are the better defensive unit and if Cleary is on his game to dictate things, they may just come away with the win.
We would stick with a Sharks +6 however in the handicap as they are likely to get close* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July)
The best betting odds for Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers
Cronulla Sharks to win: 6/4 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Penrith Panthers to win: 27/50 at Bet365
