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Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 20 Tips - Sharkies hunt at dusk

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: Tue 15 Jul 2025 17:56

In the crucial NRL 2025 Round 20 clash, Cronulla Sharks are set to challenge the Sydney Roosters for a spot in the top eight. With recent form, Sharks are favored, capitalizing on Roosters' defensive drops and red-zone opportunities. Expect an exciting, high-scoring game with Daniel Tupou poised to cross for the Roosters. Predictions anticipate overs on total points, leaning towards a Sharks win in a favored time slot. Key players like Nicho Hynes and tactical adjustments from both sides will be pivotal in this anticipated contest.

Jeremy Darke 15 Jul 2025
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  • Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters expert predictions for Friday’s Round 20 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 6:00 PM (AEST) at Shark Park
  • Expect a high-scoring game with Sharks using red-zone opportunities.
  • Daniel Tupou expected to score for Roosters
Jez's is following a big trend in this match.

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction


The battle for the top eight is heating up this weekend and it will be Cronulla that moves back into finals contention, pushing their opponent Sydney out of the bracket come the end of Round 20 in the NRL with a routine victory in a favoured time slot.
Sharks vs Roosters Round 20 Cheat Sheet
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  • Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters, Round 20 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis 
  • Cronulla Sharks Team News
  • Cronulla Sharks Team List
  • Sydney Roosters Form Analysis 
  • Sydney Roosters Team News
  • Sydney Roosters Team List
  • Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

Inconsistency has ridded both of these sides in 2025 and it is a bit of luck of the draw when trying to pick what the quality of their performance will be from week to week. But, that is our job here and we will have a good crack at it. 

For me in this one it is the amount of opportunities inside 20m that will make the difference for the Sharks. Cronulla need a lot of tackles in the red zone to score tries and the Roosters are the best at giving them those chances. 

We have seen of the last couple of weeks a drop in the defence of Sydney, giving up 30 points Wests and 24 to the Saints so there is likely to be some meat pies up for grabs for Cronulla. 

I am expecting points from both sides and that is why it is easy to follow the trend that both teams are riding at the moment of overs on the game total. 

Another trend that is worth getting on the back of is Daniel Tupou to cross. When the Roosters winger has been in this type of try scoring form compiled with the double he scored against the Sharks in Round in Round 12, the only thing to do is jump on.

  • 5 of 6 Cronulla wins at Shark Park have been by a 1-12 margin.
  • Cronulla have won 8 of their last 9 games in the 6:00pm, Friday night time slot
  • 8 of the last 10 Roosters matches have gone over the game total.
  • 5 of the last 7 Sharks games have gone over the game total.
  • Daniel Tupou has 7 tries in his last 8 games.

Head to Head 


The Roosters did a number on the Sharks in Round 12, 2025, putting on 7 tries to 3 in a 42-16 drubbing. 

The head to head count is a little closer in recent years with 2 wins and 2 losses each since the 2023 season, however, the Roosters have won 6 of 8 since 2019.

6 of the last 8 matches have gone to the over on the game total since 2019. 

Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis 


The Sharkies have been off rails for a while and were desperate for a good performance which coach Craig Fitzgibbon finally got from his men. A 24-12 victory for the Sharks over the Dolphins could be just what was needed to build a bit of confidence in his side after some tough losses against Melbourne and Brisbane.  

Nicho Hynes played his best game in a while lighting up the stats sheet with two tries, 2 linebreaks, a linebreak assist and a try assist along with 11 runs and 315 kick metres. The Sharks No. 7 has been out of sorts but a positive game will do wonders for the former Dally M medallist. 

The important stat for the Sharks was their ability to convert pressure into tries which is where they have been lacking in 2025, ranked last in the comp in turning inside 20m field position into tries. 

Cronulla Sharks Team News


Billy Burns gets bumped back to 18th man with Daniel Atkinson returning to the bench in the only change for Craig Fitzgibbon.

Cronulla Sharks Team List


1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa 
3. Jesse Ramien 
4. Sifa Talakai 
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 
6. Braydon Trindall 
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey 
10. Oregon Kaufusi 
11. Briton Nikora 
12. Teig Wilton  
13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange
14. Daniel Atkinson 
15. Jesse Colquhoun
16. Toby Rudolf
17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves
18. Billy Burns 
19. Chris Vea'ila
20. Niwhai Puru
21. Sam Stonestreet
22. Jayden Berrell

Sydney Roosters Form Analysis 


After a shocking 30-28 loss to the Wests Tigers during the Origin period the Roosters needed a result and they got it, despite walking the tightrope with the Dragons. A couple of second half tries swayed the Roosters past the Saints 31-24 last week, but it wasn’t pretty. 

It has been a little win one lose one for the Roosters, winning 4 of their last seven in a  period of their schedule where they should do better if they want to be in the same class as some of the premiership contenders. 

With movement in their halves with the return of Sam Walker and now the injury to Hugo Savala, we could possibly see the Roosters needing some time to adjust to their new combinations and not find the attacking prowess they have had this season and need to lead on their 11th-ranked defence, which could see some losses ahead.  

Sydney Roosters Team News


Chad Towsend has been picked ahead of Sandon Smith to fill the shoes of Hugo Savala who will be missing for a few weeks.

Lindsay Collins returns to the starting side with Senver Leniu moving back to the bench.

Sydney Roosters Team List


1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia 
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 
6. Chad Townsend  
7. Sam Walker 
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Connor Watson 
10. Lindsay Collins 
11. Angus Crichton 
12. Salesi Foketi
13. Victor Radley 

Interchange
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Blake Steep
16. Egan Butcher 
17. Spencer Leniu 

Reserves
18. Ethan King
19. Taylor Losalu
20. Sandon Smith 
21. Benaiah Ioelu
​​​​​​​22. Tom Rodwell

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20 FAQ’s

How to watch Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20?


You can watch the Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20?

To buy tickets to the Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters NRL 2025 Round 20 game check the NRL website or the official Cronulla Sharks site.

Verdict

Daniel Tupou will score for the Roosters, however, it won’t be enough to see Sydney cover the line but it will prop up the game total which will hit the over.
Best Bet1: Cronulla Sharks - 2.5 Handicap/Line $1.94 at Elitebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 45.5 Game Total $1.99 at Playup - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Daniel Tupou Anytime Tryscorer $2.05 at betr - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Daniel Tupou First Tryscorer $10.00 at betr - 1 Unit
Cronulla Sharks - 2.5
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$1.94 - 3 Units
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