Eels vs Sharks Prediction
This is the game where I disagree with the bookies…
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Prediction
Cronulla roll in on a run of four straight wins and the bookies have them handing South Sydney close to two converted tries. I’m on the Sharks to win this one at home, but giving the Rabbitohs that many points feels like a gift I want no part of.
NRL Round 22 • 2026
Model Predicted Final Score
CRO
$1.24
Sunday, August 2 • 2:00pm AEST
27 : 18
Ocean Protect Stadium
SOU
$4.10
Sharks by 9 points
Model Predicted Margin
Sharks by 9
Current Market
Sharks -12.5
3.5 pts tighter
Our Bets This Game
H2HSharks to win
$1.24
LINERabbitohs +12.5
$1.83
TOTALUnder 52.5 points
$1.84
MULTISharks, Rabbitohs +12.5 & Under 52.5
$4.18
Claim Tips at bet365 - Offer bet365
Odds correct at time of posting
The Sharks Have Won Four On The Trot And Climbed Into The Top Four. But 12.5 Is A Lot Of Points To Lay On A Souths Side That Just Beat The Storm.
This is a split card, and I’m happy to say so. I want the Sharks in the game and the Rabbitohs on the line.
Cronulla are the better side right now and Ocean Protect is a hard place to visit. But a Souths outfit that just knocked over the Storm, and put 36 on these same Sharks earlier in the year, does not lose by two converted tries.
Cronulla have found their best footy
Four wins on the bounce has the Sharks up to fourth, and they are doing it with ball in hand rather than grinding it out. Nicho Hynes has the attack humming, and after 48 points on Manly last week there is no argument about the form. On their own patch, they win this.
Why I won’t lay the 12.5
This is where the market has overcooked it. South Sydney beat the Storm last start and hammered these same Sharks 36-12 back in Round 10, so this is not a side you write off by two converted tries. I make it a Cronulla win by around nine, which means the Rabbitohs and the 12.5 is the play.
A controlled game, not a shootout
This is the tightest leg on the card, so I’ll be straight about it. But Cronulla like to hold the ball and play at their own tempo, and when they squeeze a game like that it tends to stay a grind rather than a track meet. That is enough for me to side with the unders.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Tip
I’ve got the Sharks to win at home off four straight wins, but only by around nine, so laying 12.5 is too rich and the value sits with the Rabbitohs and the points.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Key Stats
COMPLETION RATE
CRO82
SOU79
The Sharks hang onto the ball and make Souths chase it all night, and that control of the game is how Cronulla win it.
MISSED TACKLES
CRO29
SOU33
Cronulla’s line holds when the game gets tight, and a defence that doesn’t leak easy points is what keeps the score down. That’s the under.
OFFLOADS
CRO10
SOU8
The Sharks have the ball skills to break you open when they pick their moment, and that’s the edge that gets them in front at home.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Form Guide
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
LWWWW
- R16: L 8-27 vs Roosters
- R18: W 28-16 vs Broncos
- R19: W 66-0 vs Dolphins
- R20: W 20-18 vs Knights
- R21: W 48-12 vs Sea Eagles
South Sydney Rabbitohs
WLWLW
- R17: W 32-12 vs Eels
- R18: L 14-36 vs Panthers
- R19: W 26-24 vs Knights
- R20: L 24-34 vs Raiders
- R21: W 28-26 vs Storm
Ben’s Verdict
Back the Sharks to win, take the Rabbitohs and the 12.5, and side with the unders. The one thing that keeps me honest is the last meeting, when South Sydney won it 36-12, so if Cody Walker gets rolling early this is the game that bites me.
Our Bets
H2H Sharks to win$1.24
LINE Rabbitohs +12.5$1.83
TOTAL Under 52.5 points$1.84
MULTI Sharks, Rabbitohs +12.5 & Under 52.5$4.18
Up Next in the NRL
Key Facts
| Match | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Date | Sunday, August 2 |
| Kick-off | 2:00pm AEST |
| Venue | Ocean Protect Stadium |
| Round | NRL Round 22 |
| Status | Scheduled |
| Our Tip | Sharks Multi: Sharks + Rabbitohs +12.5 + Under 52.5 @ $4.18 |
| Predicted Score | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 27 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 |
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs FAQs
Who will win Sharks vs Rabbitohs?
I’m tipping the Sharks. Cronulla come in on four straight wins, sit fourth on the ladder and are at home at Ocean Protect Stadium. I make it a Cronulla win by around nine points.
What is the best bet for Sharks vs Rabbitohs?
My best bet is the Sharks multi at $4.18: Sharks, Rabbitohs, 12.5 and the under 52.5. That is the featured tip at the top of this page and matches the selections sent to our partner bookmakers.
Will Sharks vs Rabbitohs go over or under 52.5 points?
I’m leaning under, though it is the tightest leg. Cronulla hold the ball and keep their missed tackles down, and a game played at their tempo does not race away, so I make the total closer to 45 than 52.5.
Who do the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks play next week?
The Sharks travel to face the Dragons on Sunday 9 August in NRL Round 23.
Who do the South Sydney Rabbitohs play next week?
The Rabbitohs host the Eels at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 8 August in NRL Round 23.
