Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: NRL Round 13, 2024

The Parramatta Eels, having suffered a string of painful losses in the past month, will attempt to regain their footing when they face the Cronulla Sharks at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night in the NRL Round 13.

Their first game with Trent Barret as coach fell short of expectations, as they lost to the Rabbitohs, who occupied the lowest rank in the NRL standings at the time of the match.

The game ended with the Rabbitohs winning by a surprising 16-point margin. Losing to the bottom-of-the-rank opponents at a time when they were expected to make a turnaround in form makes it difficult to imagine that the Eels will have a chance against the Cronulla Sharks, who are top of the league.

The Sharks, though, also experienced a humiliating defeat in the last round, losing 42-0 to the Penrith Panthers. The Panthers exploited holes in their defense and overwhelmed the Sharks, rendering them defenseless and unable to score. This was their second defeat of the season, and it revealed a wide gap between the Sharks and the Panthers, which was unprecedented before the match.

The Sharks will be vengeful heading into this match and will aim to make a statement against the Eels. They can’t afford to struggle against Parramatta if they hope to keep up the morale of their fanbase.

Overall, it appears to be a mismatch, especially on paper, but the Eels will be hopeful against a Sharks lineup that won't have Cam McInnes and Nicho Hynes. Nevertheless, the Eels have fallen short against struggling teams, which means they might stand a chance against the Sharks.

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Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Head-to-Head

Parramatta Eels Form Guide: (LLLLL) The Parramatta Eels are 15th in the NRL standings.

Cronulla Sharks Form Guide: (WWWWL) The Cronulla Sharks are first in the NRL standings.

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Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Team News

Parramatta Eels

Injured: Clinton Gutherson (knee), Ryan Matherson (illness), Mitchell Moses (foot), Will Penisini (illness), Haze Dunster (foot), Ofahiki Ogden (pectoral)

Suspended: none

Cronulla Sharks

Injured: Toby Rudolf (knee), Jesse Colquhoun (foot)

Suspended: none

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Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Predicted Lineups

Parramatta Eels

Backs: Maika Sivo, Sean Russell, Bailey Simonsson, Dylan Brown, Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses

Forwards: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Joey Lussick, Junior Paulo, Shaun Lane, Bryce Cartwright, Brendan Hands

Interchange: Makahesi Makatoa, Shaun Lane, Blaize Talagi, Wiremu Greig

Reserves: Joe Lussick, Daejarn Asi

Cronulla Sharks

Backs: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Kayal Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Daniel Atkinson, Braydon Trindall

Forwards: Thomas Hazleton, Blake Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Jack Williams

Interchange: Niwhai Puru, Siosifa Talakai, Royce Hunt, Tuki Hau Tapuha

Reserves: Mawene Hiroti, Toby Rudolf

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Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction

Prediction: Cronulla Sharks by 18 points