NRL Finals Week 1 Raiders vs Sharks: – Tips, Odds & Predictions

October 3 at 5.40pm – GIO Stadium – Canberra

For the second time in a week, the Raiders are strong favourites in the betting odds with the online betting sites for the match up against the Cronulla Sharks. If last week is anything to go by, the Raiders should be simply too good for the Sharks after winning 38-28 with only a second-string team.

The Sharks should welcome back playmaker Shaun Johnson but will need to be a lot better in defence this time around. Unfortunately, Cronulla will need to beat the Raiders imposing 18th man, the Canberra crowd and the Viking clap. The Sharks will have learnt from last weeks effort, but the fact remains – do they have the cattle to put their plans into place?

A margin punt on the Raiders could be one way to max your winnings with an odds bump;

Raiders to win by 1-12 points – $3.10

Raiders to win by 13+ points – $1.80

Sharks fans may find some punting value for their team to beat the wide line;

Sharks +13.5 points – $1.91

Can the Sharks hold the Raiders to Golden Point Extra Time in the Nation’s Capital?

Yes – $21.00

No – $1.01

The Raiders’ Nick Cotric to bust the line for yet another try (anytime in the match);

The Raiders’ Nick Cotric to score a try – $1.80

(All odds on display current as at 28/09/2020 – Subject to change)

Head to Head Record

• Played 77
• Sharks won 36
• Raiders won 41

Last time played

• Last Week – September 2020 – Raiders 38 Sharks 28

Key Statistics

• Recent form is the best form. The Raiders won last week plus 3 of the last 5 against the Sharks before that.
• Raiders muscular winger Nick Cotric finished the NRL 2020 regular season as the Number 4 in the league with 106 tackle breaks.

The Sharks know exactly what they need to do in order to stop the Raiders; the two teams know each well. However, the question is if they have the player quality to pull off the upset.

The Raiders blitzed Cronulla early in the game last week, and then turned off the gas the match progressed ahead of the finals. Don’t let last week’s 38-28 score line fool you, the Raiders had already switched off and were pulling their big stars off the park early.

The Raiders should be way too good as they welcome back 8 or 9 first team regulars.

Bet on the Raiders to defeat the Sharks Now