Sharks vs Roosters Finals Week 1 Tips, Prediction & Preview

Andrew Hendrie: Sep 9, 2023

Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters put their seasons on the line when they clash in the first elimination final on Saturday night.

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters free NRL tips, predictions and preview by our expert NRL tips experts – Roosters have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams…

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters H2H Prediction

Best Roosters win H2H odds $1.91 with bet365

Roosters have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams
Roosters have won four of their last five games vs Sharks at PointsBet Stadium
Roosters are on a five-game winning streak
Sharks have lost their last five finals games
Roosters have seen Under 46.5 points in 11 of their last 12 games
Sharks have seen Under 46.5 points in their last six games
Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 26 tries in 24 games at PointsBet Stadium
James Tedesco has score seven tries in his last eight finals games
Joseph Suaalii has scored a try in four of his last five games
Jesse Ramien has scored a try in his last five games at PointsBet Stadium
Billy Smith has scored a try in four of his last six games

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Tips

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Same Game Multi Tips

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Match Details

🇦🇺 Competition: NRL
🗓 Date: Saturday September 9
⏰ Time: 7.50pm AEST
🏟 Stadium: PointsBet Stadium (Cronulla)

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Head to Head

14/4/23: Sharks 22-12 Roosters
28/5/22: Sharks 16-36 Roosters
10/4/21: Roosters 26-18 Sharks
19/9/20: Roosters 34-18 Sharks
13/4/19: Sharks 16-30 Roosters

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction

One will advance and one will go home as the Sharks play host to the Roosters at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.

Both teams couldn’t really get any momentum going for most of the season – the Sharks were up and down but have mostly gotten back on track, while the Roosters were bang average until finding some form late to bring a five-match winning streak into the finals.

In fact, only the Knights have won more games in a row apart from the Roosters heading into finals footy, so Trent Robinson’s side could be peaking at exactly the right time.

Some big name players are back on deck, while Sam Walker is over his injury troubles and looks to be playing with restored confidence and without pressure – a dangerous combination.

Brandon Smith is another player who has found a new lease on life over the last month or so, perhaps finally finding some motivation with the Roosters’ season on the line.

The Roosters secured their top eight status and simultaneously ended the season of arch-rivals South Sydney last week, emerging 26-12 winners.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have won four of their last five games after taking care of the Raiders 24-6 last week, locking in this home final as a result.

VERDICT

Obviously a huge game and both sides are sweating on the fitness of star players in Will Kennedy and James Tedesco.

Tough match to call, but I’m siding with the Roosters. Cronulla have gained a reputation as flat-track bullies this season and have barely beaten teams that finished in the top eight (Knights early in the season when they were poor, same goes with the Roosters and last week vs an out-of-form Raiders side).

The Sharks were also knocked out in straight sets in last season’s finals series, so there’s some mental scars there too. The Roosters are a big-game club and have confidence from their five-match winning streak. Roosters have also won four of their last five games at PointsBet Stadium. Backing the in-form team with momentum behind them and a big advantage in recent H2H (Best Roosters win H2H odds $1.91 with bet365.)

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Teams

Sharks team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Kayal Iro 19. Daniel Atkinson 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. William Kennedy 22. Matt Moylan

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Corey Allan 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Dylan Napa