2020 NRL – Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Saturday 11th July, 2020 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers? 18c, partly cloudy
What channel is Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Dugan, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Goodwin, Johnson, Townsend, Fifita, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Graham, Williams – Interchanges: Rudolf, Hamlin-Uele, Hunt, Sorensen – Reserves: Tracey, Macdonald
Unavailable: Cameron King (Injured), Bronson Xerri (Disciplinary), Matt Moylan (Injured), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Injured)
- Cronulla Sharks put in another eye-catching attacking performance as they notched 40 points for the second game in succession with a comfortable victory against Gold Coast Titans last week.
- The Sharks completed at 83% which allowed them to spend almost seven minutes longer with the ball than the Titans and after managing 44 tackle breaks, their total for the season stands at 268 which is the fourth-highest in the NRL.
- Matt Moylan once again finds himself on the sidelines after suffering yet another hamstring injury last week so Josh Dugan shifts to fullback while
Siosifa Talakai will line-up at centre after Ronaldo Mulitalo's return from injury was delayed by a week.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Edwards, Mansour, Whare, Crichton, Naden, Luai, Cleary, Tamou, Koroisau, Fisher-Harris, Kikau, Martin, Yeo – Interchanges: May, Leota, Burns, Leniu – Reserves: Kenny, Staines
Unavailable: Kurt Capewell (Injured), Brian To’o (Injured), Zane Tetevano (Injured)
- Penrith Panthers were pushed all the way by Wests Tigers last week but the Panthers’ impressive start to the season continued as they produced the goods late in the contest to seal their third straight win.
- With the scores locked up at 12-all, Nathan Cleary slotted a field goal with nine minutes remaining before Dylan Edwards crossed to kill the game off on the next set as the Panthers played off the back of 55% possession to take their average for the year to 53.9%.
- That is the second-highest figure in the NRL and is clearly aiding them in close matches with their impressive ball control helping them to put teams away when required with Penrith hoping to do the same this week, although they will be without winger Brian To’o to injury with Dean Whare returning from a knock of his own while Zane Tetevano is a late withdrawal so Spencer Leniu is promoted to the bench.
THE PREDICTION
Cronulla Sharks have posted 40 points in consecutive matches but they will just be happy to come away with the two competition points by any means in this tricky clash with Penrith Panthers. The Sharks look to be hitting their straps but more difficult contests are to come, starting with this clash with the in-form Panthers. Penrith have lost just one game so far this season with their defence serving them well having conceded an average of just 13.8 points per game so far. The Panthers ended a seven-match losing streak against the Sharks in their last meeting and although that record is still a poor one, Penrith should be able to come out on top in this one.
