RUGBY LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS CRONULLA SHARKS

Rugby League

2025-04-20 - Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks

A Sports Betting Preview by Stu

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks
Rugby League : Australia : NRL
Sunday 20th April 2025 - KO 1605 AEST

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Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights have had a mediocre start to the 2025 season under the guidance of coach Adam O'Brien. The Knights currently sit in the middle of the NRL ladder on 6 points, with a record of 2-3 and 1-1 at home. Key players like Kalyn Ponga and Tyson Frizell have been instrumental in their performances, with Ponga's dynamic play at fullback and Frizell's leadership in the forward pack assisting in the team's success.

However, the Knights have faced significant injury challenges already in 2025. The absence of Jack Cogger who is named on the extended bench due to a finger injury and James Schiller's concussion have been setbacks.

New recruits like Fletcher Sharpe who has been a great addition has made a difference, but he has lacked support. The Knights defence has been solid enough averaging just 17.5ppg, but their attack is the problem, by far the worst in the NRL averaging just 9.2ppg.

Newcastle Knights Team News - Tyson Gamble starts in the halves and winger James Schiller also returns. Phoenix Crossland moves from halfback to hooker and Jayden Brailey goes to the bench which makes a much better-balanced team over last weekend.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The Cronulla Sharks have had a strong start to the 2025 season, currently placed mid table of the NRL ladder in 9th on 6 points in a log jam of 9 teams on the same points, current record is 3-3.

Under the guidance of coach Craig Fitzgibbon, the Sharks have developed a balanced team with a strong defensive structure making it difficult for teams to score heavily against them. Key players like Nicho Hynes and Briton Nikora have been pivotal, with Hynes in particular, his playmaking abilities has been excellent to date.

The Sharks defence has been very good, conceding an average of 19 ppg from their six matches so far. Their recent victory over the Manly Sea Eagles, showcased their defensive prowess thwarting a number of attacking chances from Manly.

The return of Addin Fonua-Blake from a groin injury will further strengthen the team. The Sharks' attacking threats, led by players like Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien, will be crucial in this upcoming match.

Cronulla Sharks Team News – no changes expected but do keep an eye on Fonua-Blake who is named but did leave the field with a slight groin complaint last weekend.

Odds

The visiting Sharks are expected to win here, $3.25 to $1.35, the line 9.5 points and total points is 43.5

The Betting Verdict

Matches between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla Sharks are often very close or one side wins by 20-30 points. Overall H2H has the Knights slightly ahead winning 25 of the 47 games played between the two teams.

However, The Sharks have won four of their past five games against the Knights making this a great betting match. Ground advantage is clearly with Newcastle, the Knights winning 55% at home while the Sharks are 9-13 at Mcdonald Jones stadium.

Key matchups to watch include the battle between Kalyn Ponga and Nicho Hynes. Both players are crucial to their teams' attacking setups, and their performance, with ball in hand could be the deciding factor here. Additionally, the forward battle between Tyson Frizell and Briton Nikora will be a physical contest that could determine the dominance in the middle of the park.

These teams met in round 24, late last season in Cronulla and after the 80 minutes the match was tied at 18-18, Cronulla needed just one shot at it, slotting the field goal late in the first period of golden point.

The current form and recent head-to-head advantage makes the Sharks favourites here and on that form, Cronulla should come out on top in this encounter.

Where to put your money?

Cronulla's biggest victory this season was over the Cowboys 12-36, but they have not really put a team to the sword, last weekend's victory by 6 over Manly is a classic example, being by far the best team out there and winning by 6 points was a bit too close considering the dominance.

Newcastle though is a team severely lacking in confidence on attack and if the Sharks are going to win and win well, this is the match to show it, therefore, Cronulla 13+ is the way to go here.

The Pick :

Newcastle Knights 10-32 Cronulla Sharks

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Cronulla to win by 13+ points returning $2.20 with Bet365