The Stats Zone
August 16 2024, 19:18 · Trystan Pugh

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Cronulla Sharks have been inconsistent in the past couple of months but their 44-0 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans last week will have restored some confidence ahead of this clash with Newcastle Knights.

START DATE/TIME: Sunday 18th August, 2024: UK – 7:05am / Aus (local) – 4:05pm / US ET – 2:05am / US PT – 11:05pm (Saturday)

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US

CRONULLA SHARKS TEAM NEWS

Starting 13: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Blayke Brailey 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Jack Williams Bench: 14. Jayden Berrell 15. Billy Burns 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Niwhai Puru 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Braydon Trindall Reserves: 21. Ronaldo Mulitalo 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS TEAM NEWS

Starting 13: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Thomas Jenkins 20. Jackson Hastings Reserves: 21. Will Pryce 22. Kyle McCarthy

CRONULLA SHARKS VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS PREDICTION

The Sharks’ resounding 44-0 victory over a previously in-form Gold Coast Titans side has put them in a strong position to finish in the top four, and with a game in hand over most teams around them, their fate is very much in their own hands.

Newcastle Knights kept alive their hopes of a top-eight placing by defeating Wests Tigers last week. That arrested a run of three straight defeats for Adam O’Brien’s side, and they could still find themselves in the finals should they build on that victory in the final weeks of the regular season.

Although the Knights clamed a much-needed win last week, it is hard to see them troubling the Sharks here if the hosts turn up in the manner that they did against the Titans last week. Keeping an opponent scoreless is always a morale-boosting feat, and they should have a spring in their step this weekend as they look to cement their top-four spot.

CRONULLA SHARKS VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS TIP: CRONULLA SHARKS TO WIN