Why the handicap

The Sharks at $1.50 are priced like a side that controls games. They aren't, right now — they've spent two of the last three first halves chasing, and needed Hynes to bail them out of the most recent one. The Eels' problem last week wasn't competitiveness, it was holding a lead for eighty minutes. +6.5 asks them to be within a converted try, not to win.

The counter-argument is honest enough: Parramatta have leaked points late all season, and a Cronulla side chasing a top four can turn a two-score lead into four in ten minutes. That's what the $1.91 is paying for.

3-leg multi$21.00
  • Apa TwidleAnytime Tryscorer$3.30
  • Tieg WiltonAnytime Tryscorer$3.90
  • Eels +6.5Handicap$1.90
Bet with Bet365

Team news

Eels: NSW Under 19s prop Ryda Talagi will make his NRL debut off the bench after 13 appearances in NSW Cup this season. Dylan Walker returns from a wrist injury on the bench alongside Bailey Simonsson, who makes his first NRL appearance since dislocating his ankle in Round 5 against Wests Tigers. Apa Twidle has been named at fullback with Sean Russell in the centres, although they could swap positions as they did against the Dolphins.

Sharks: Just the one change to the 19-man squad, with Braden Uele coming onto the six-man interchange in place of Sam Stonestreet, who was an unused reserve last week. Cam McInnes has been named to start with Tom Hazelton on the bench, but they could swap on game day as they did against the Titans.