Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction, Tips & Odds

The form team of the NRL, Cronulla look to keep the roll going at home against South Sydney.

FORM: The fourth-placed Sharks have won eight of their last nine, pummelling Manly 48-12 last Sunday.

The sixth-placed Rabbitohs have won four of their last six but have been anything but consistent. They followed up a 34-24 loss in Canberra with a vital 28-26 eclipse of the depleted Storm in Round 21.

INS AND OUTS: Tom Hazelton is back and Addin Fonua-Blake is named to start for Cronulla. Hohepa Puru (concussion) is missing from the bench.

Souths get Sean Keppie back on the bench, Lachlan Hubner is at lock, John Radel at prop and Keaon Koloamatagi in the second-row, while Tallis Duncan could be a chance of returning after being named in the reserves.

KEY MATCH-UP: Nicho Hynes is on the best form streak since he won the Dally M Medal, while youngster Ashton Ward is growing into Souths’ No.7 jersey.

HISTORY: The Rabbitohs snapped a five-match losing streak against the Sharks with an emphatic 36-12 victory at Accor Stadium in Round 10.

KEY STAT: Cronulla has won six of its last seven against Souths at Ocean Protect Stadium.

VERDICT: The Sharks are absolutely on fire. Whether they can withstand the September blowtorch finally is another question – but at present there’s no team you’d rather not play. Hynes finding belated consistency gives this side another dimension.

Souths are scraping together enough wins to stay on track for the finals, but with no Mitchell, Fifita or Murray they could be in for a rough afternoon, having struggled to contain in-form teams for most of the season.

Tip: Back the Sharks to Win by 13+ @ $2.05

SGM: SHARKS TO SCORE OVER 30.5 POINTS / NICHO HYNES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / WILL KENNEDY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ALEX JOHNSTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $17.10