PointsBet Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 2 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Parramatta Eels heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday March 19, 2022 at 5:30 pm

Where: PointsBet Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Preview

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks took 40 minutes to get going but things started to look promising after halftime. While they did take the lead, the Raiders clawed their way back to win 24-19. The Parramatta Eels, on the other hand, took no time to get going. They scored 26 points in the first 40 minutes and hung on to beat the Titans 32-28.

Craig Fitzgibbon is happy enough with how his Sharks team performed in Round 1 and named the same 17 for Round 2. Sean Russell scored three tries before ending up in the hospital last week with Waqa Blake named to replace him on the Eels wing and Tom Opacic into the centres. Unfortunately for the Eels after playing so well last week, Ryan Matterson is out.

Both sides looked very good when at their best in their respective matches last week. The Eels scored with ease throughout the first half while the Sharks began to put it all together in the second. The inconsistency is an early-season concern but not unexpected. It’s just one more area where these two teams match up well. There is plenty of creativity in the halves for whichever team takes control of the middle-third in this one. Nicho Hynes v Mitchell Moses has Matchup of the Round potential while Will Kennedy v Clint Gutherson is one of the more underrated head-to-head matchups in Round 2. Again, it comes down to the foundations.

Ryan Matterson is a significant out for the Eels. He looked right at home at lock in Round 1 and his ball-playing is a big part of what the Eels want to do in attack. Without him, they’re at risk of getting stuck in bad habits – primarily, going wide too early and often. Parramatta are easy to defend when they simply shift the ball through the middle with little thought. While Cameron McInnes would help the Sharks, Dale Finucane is a proven performer at the position. Despite scoring plenty last week, points are at a premium on Saturday afternoon.

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