Which ever way you look at this game, there is very little between these two sides.

The Sharks sit in seventh spot on the ladder, just one win in advance of Penrith who are in ninth spot.

The last two occasions these sides have met have resulted in one point victories – one win apiece.

They’ve both won three of their past six matches and both are coming off heaving losses, Sharks to Roosters (40 – 0) and Penrith to Newcastle (30 – 14).

Whilst there’s little between them in terms of stats this season, the market suggests that the Sharks will be too strong at home – where they have won 6 from 7 games – and have opened up at $1.50.

They will still be without Paul Gallen and they’re winning strike rate without him is a poor one.

Penrith were surprisingly lacklustre last week against Newcastle at home and could only muster two tries to Newcastle’s six.

They need to play desperate football here as a win is imperative and expect a far stronger performance this week.

Whilst tipping the home-team to win here, expecting it to be a lot closer than the market would
indicate.

TIP: CRONULLA 1 – 12

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

Cronulla Sharks	1.50	1.56	1.51	1.56	1.50	1.51
Penrith Panthers	2.60	2.45	2.60	2.45	2.60	2.63

Teams:

Cronulla Sharks:

1 Michael Gordon
2 Sosaia Feki
3 Ben Pomeroy
4 Jonathan Wright
5 Nathan Stapleton
6 Todd Carney
7 Jeff Robson
8 Andrew Fifita
9 John Morris
10 Bryce Gibbs
11 Jayson Bukuya
12 Wade Graham (c)
13 Chris Heighington

Interchange
14 Isaac De Gois
15 Tyrone Peachey
16 Sam Tagataese
17 Ben Ross
18 Stewart Mills
19 Mark Taufua

Coach: Shane Flanagan

Penrith Panthers:

1 Matt Moylan
2 James Roberts
3 Lewis Brown
4 Dean Whare
5 David Simmons
6 Isaac John
7 Luke Walsh
8 Jeremy Latimore
9 Kevin Kingston (c)
10 Tim Grant
11 Clint Newton
12 Sika Manu
13 Adam Docker

Interchange
14 James Segeyaro
15 Ryan Simpkins
16 Cameron Ciraldo
17 Sam Anderson

Coach: Ivan Cleary