PointsBet Stadium will play host to Saturday's NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday September 9, 2023 at 7:50 pm

Where: PointsBet Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Preview

The Roosters are set to make their return to Pointsbet Stadium for the second time in 2023, seeking redemption for their Round 7 defeat to the Sharks.

Most bookmakers have this game marked as a close contest, essentially leaving punters with a coin flip to decide the winner. Both teams have concluded the season on a strong note, yet the Sharks bear the added pressure to secure victory this week, considering that just two months ago, nobody believed Sydney had a chance to make the top eight.

The question looms: Can the Sharks bounce back from their early exit from the finals in 2022? I believe they can.

While neither team has been particularly dominant against top-8 sides this season, the Cronulla Sharks have proven themselves as a much stronger team at Shark Park. The home-field advantage gives them the upper hand.

With a relatively low total of 40.5 points, I’ll be following the trend of betting on the OVER when these two sides meet. Ronaldo Mulitano, who has scored 5 tries in his last 5 games, is also my choice for the ATS in this game.

Key Statistics:

• Cronulla won their previous encounter against Sydney by 10 points in Round 7, 2023.
• The Roosters have averaged just 18 points in attack when playing away from home.
• The OVER has hit in 5 of the last six games between the Sharks and the Roosters.
• Ronaldo Mulitano led the Sharks with 20 tries in 2023 and has scored 5 tries in his last 5 games for the Sharks.

Head to Head:

The Sharks secured a ten-point victory over the Roosters in their meeting during Round 7 of the current season. Interestingly, despite Nat Butcher receiving a sin-binning in the 14th minute, it was Sydney that led at halftime. Brandon Smith also received a sin-bin penalty with five minutes remaining in the game, and Briton Nikora scored just one minute later to seal the win for the Sharks at Shark Park.

The loss for the Roosters marked their first against the Sharks in eight games, having not lost to Cronulla since Round 17, 2017.

Cronulla Sharks Form:

The Sharks closed out the 2023 season on a high note with a commanding 26-6 victory over the Raiders, securing a home final for the weekend. This win marked Cronulla’s fourth triumph in five games, giving them the momentum and confidence needed for the do-or-die footy.

Nicho Hynes has been instrumental for the Sharks throughout the season, boasting 26 try assists and 31 linebreak assists in 2023.

Cronulla Sharks Team News:

Connor Tracey has been named at fullback despite his early exit with a knee complaint against the Raiders. William Kennedy has been named among the reserves and may be a late inclusion.

Sydney Roosters Form:

The Roosters displayed immense resilience in the latter part of the season, winning six of their last seven games to secure a finals spot in the final round of the home-and-away season. Despite pundits and experts writing them off midway through the season, the Chooks finished the year in spectacular fashion, averaging 29.6 points in attack and conceding just 12.4 points in defense in their last 5 games while remaining undefeated.

Sydney Roosters Team News:

Daniel Tupou suffered a hamstring injury in the Roosters’ victory against the Rabbitohs and will miss this match. Fetalaiga Pauga has been named as his replacement.

Joseph Manu is set to return from a minor hamstring strain after missing the last game.

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