Saturday’s NRL 2017 Round 25 match is between Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:30 local time with the game to be played at Southern Cross Group Stadium. The away team Sydney Roosters are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters.

When: 19:30 | Saturday 26/08/2017

Where: Southern Cross Group Stadium

Preview:

Match of the round sees the third-placed Roosters take on the Sharks, who are nipping at their heels in fourth. The reigning premiers could drop out of the top four if they lose, with the Eels and Panthers both capable of stealing fourth spot from them. Cronulla have won their past six matches against the Roosters, and will look to make it seven on the trot in Wade Graham’s 200th NRL game. Finishing second is the major carrot for the Roosters, who won’t want to play Brisbane at Suncorp in week one of the finals.

Key: Jack Bird got his first NRL start against the Roosters in 2015 and announced himself with two four-pointers in an upset victory. He’s five from five against the Tri-colours with four tries.

Tip: Roosters

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: Sydney Roosters at $1.80

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Blake Ferguson at $11.00

More Info:

Head to Head: Sharks 34 Roosters 56 drawn 2

Last clash: Round 17, 2017 – Sharks 44 bt Roosters 12 at Central Coast Stadium

Tab: Sharks $1.80 Roosters $2

FootyTAB: Roosters +2.5

Teams:

Sharks:

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Sam Tagataese 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. James Segeyaro 18. Chris Heighington 19. Joseph Paulo 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Jesse Ramien

Players cut: TBC

Roosters:

1. Michael Gordon 2. Latrell Mitchell 3. Ryan Matterson 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Kane Evans 17. Connor Watson 18. Joseph Manu 19. Victor Radley 20. Chris Smith 22. Mitchell Cornish

Players cut: TBC

NRL News:

Misfiring Brisbane No.7 Kodi Nikorima will remain at halfback for the NRL finals but will have to take a back seat after Wayne Bennett made no apologies for five-eighth Anthony Milford demanding more of the ball.

Bennett said his halves combination was set in stone for the rest of the season despite admitting Nikorima was “off the pace” in last round’s win over St George Illawarra.

Nikorima has been retained at No.7 with Bennett electing to keep Ben Hunt on the bench as back-up rake for Thursday night’s Suncorp Stadium clash with Parramatta.

Asked if his halves pairing was now locked in for the finals Bennett said: “I am not changing teams now.

“We know what our best team is and our job is to get them on the field each week; I won’t be changing.

“They have all had their moments. But he (Nikorima) has been great this week at training.

“His form has overall been good and I have no doubt he will be good tomorrow night.”

But Nikorima must get used to playing second fiddle after Bennett backed Milford’s recent dominance of the ball.

Milford helped spark the win over the Dragons, which kept the Broncos in the top two, by scoring a solo try and setting up another two.

“That’s what he’s here for, that’s what he brings — what he does with the football,” Bennett said.

“He is one of those special players who can do things that other guys can’t do.

“If Milford is demanding the ball a lot then someone else in the team is going to have to miss out a little bit.”

Brisbane have given winger Jordan Kahu (groin) and bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior (hamstring) a week off, replacing them with David Mead and Jaydn Su’A respectively.

The Broncos have lost just once in their past six games, against the Eels in round 21.

Fifth-placed Parramatta have won seven of their past eight.

“We respect them. They are obviously a much better team than last year,” Bennett said.

“We will have our hands full tomorrow night.”

Meanwhile, Parramatta’s Beau Scott (bicep) and Kaysa Pritchard (knee) are unlikely to return from injury despite being named on an extended bench.

STATS THAT MATTER

* Brisbane have won 11 of 17 matches at Suncorp Stadium against Parramatta.

* Brisbane have won 10 of their past 11 home games.

* Parramatta have won just one match in Queensland since the start of 2015, losing seven straight between round eight 2015 and round three 2017.