Sharks vs Knights Prediction

Game 7 of Round 26 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership on August 31 features the Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights at Sharks Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Get the latest NRL betting tips, predictions, and analysis right here, and catch the game live on Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9, & 9NOW. 🏉🔥

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Predictions

Sunday, August 31, 2025

2:00pm @ Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Final Score Prediction

Sharks

24 : 16

Knights

Sunday afternoon rugby league at the Shire delivers finals implications as the Sharks host the struggling Knights in a must-win encounter.

The home side enters as deserved favourites, with our analytics confirming the market’s assessment of Cronulla’s superiority.

Shark Park becomes a hunting ground as the black, white and blue seek to devour Newcastle’s fading season hopes.

Win Percentages

Sharks
62.45%

Knights
37.55%

The Shire Superiority

Cronulla’s $1.14 price seems skinny, yet our projections validate the heavy favouritism.

Newcastle at $5.50 represents minimal appeal given their road struggles and defensive frailties.

The 17.5-point line appears excessive, with our 8-point margin suggesting value in alternative markets.

Sharks

Knights

The Shark Park Fortress

The Shire faithful create an intimidating atmosphere as their team eyes a crucial victory to cement top-eight status.

Newcastle’s season of promise turned disappointment faces another harsh reality check against a Cronulla side peaking at the right time.

Our models project a comfortable home victory, with the Sharks’ defensive steel proving the difference in a low-scoring affair.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The gap in quality shows clearly:

Power Ranking: Sharks 10 vs Knights 13
Attack: Sharks’ precision versus Knights’ inconsistency
Defence: Cronulla’s wall meets Newcastle’s vulnerabilities
Form Guide: Sharks surging, Knights sinking
Shark Park Record: Cronulla dominant at home

Game Style Prediction: Likely Blowout – Low Scoring

Expected Total: 40 points – Defence dominates proceedings

Our Betting Strategy

Best Bet: Sharks 1-12

@ $3.70

Our 8-point projection aligns perfectly with this bracket. Tremendous value compared to backing Sharks outright.

Value Play: Knights +17.5

@ $1.90

With only an 8-point margin expected, Newcastle covers this generous line easily. Smart contrarian insurance.

Under 50.5 Total Points

@ $1.85

Our 40-point projection sits well under this total. Defensive intensity limits scoring opportunities.

The Systematic Suffocation

When playoff-bound teams meet season strugglers, expect the class gap to manifest through defensive dominance.

Cronulla’s methodical approach will gradually strangle Newcastle’s attacking ambitions in typical Sharks fashion.

Key Battle: The defensive line speed determines everything. If Cronulla’s aggressive rush defence pressures Newcastle’s playmakers into errors, the game breaks open. The Knights must somehow slow the ruck and create time for their halves, or face another demoralizing defeat on the road.