Sharks v Warriors betting tips & winner prediction

The impressive Sharks host the equally impressive Warriors in a clear match of the round in the NRL, with both these teams in position to challenge strongly for a top-four spot and, ultimately, the NRL title.

Some of the gloss came off the Sharks’ season last weekend with a 42-16 thrashing at the hands of the Sydney Roosters but we are prepared to give them another chance as that may have been a letdown after their epic against-the-odds win against the Storm a week earlier.

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The Sharks have lost three of their past four clashes with the Warriors, though two or those losses were by just two points, so there has been little between these two sides in recent seasons.

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Teams news for Sharks v Warriors clash

New Zealand suffered a huge blow last weekend when NSW Origin forward Mitch Barnett copped a season-ending knee injury. How they can cope without his toughness and reliability up front will go a long way to deciding the direction of their season from this point forward.

This week they come up against their former front-row star Addin Fonua-Blake, who has been an outstanding addition to the Sharks’ line-up this season.

The Warriors have also lost centre Rocco Berry to a hamstring injury so they have had to do a fair amount of shuffling.

Cronulla will be without suspended winger Ronaldo Mulitalo but regain fellow winger Sione Katoa after a shoulder injury.

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Cronulla v New Zealand Warriors

Start:	5.30pm AEST, June 7
Venue:	Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Head-to-head odds:	Cronulla-Sutherland ($1.48) v NZ Warriors ($2.65)
Line betting:	Cronulla-Sutherland -6.5 ($1.90) v NZ Warriors +6.5 ($1.90)
Series odds:	Cronulla-Sutherland $8; NZ Warriors $15

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Sharks v NZ Warriors tips

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Saturday evening’s game.

Blayke Brailey to score a try at $6.50

We will go a little wide here and back the Sharks hooker to celebrate his 150th NRL game with a try. This selection is at $6-plus with online betting sites.

Cronulla -6.5 points/match total over 44.5 points

Both these teams have plenty of points in them and the option is paying around $3.40 with most Aussie bookmakers.

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Sharks v Warriors prediction 

We have been strong on the Sharks as serious contenders this season and they are always hard to beat at home. The Warriors are hurting on the injury front, and have something of a makeshift back line. The Wahs are a gritty outfit but we can see this one slipping away against the slick Sharks. Our final Cronulla-NZ Warriors prediction? The Sharks by 12 points.