Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction - Round 7 2025

The Newcastle Knights will be looking to get the train back on the tracks when they host the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on Easter Sunday.

After a positive start to the year, a torrid run of results has them sitting in 12th place. That doesn’t tell the full story, though; they are playing like a team coming dead last.

After the last three rounds, Newcastle are now averaging a mere 9.2 points per match in 2025 after scoring just two tries in their last 275 minutes of action.

Meanwhile, the Sharks’ 24-18 win over the Sea Eagles ended their run of two disappointing losses and has them right back in the top eight conversation.

As he goes searching for points both on the field and on the ladder, Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has taken a flamethrower to his usual team sheet.

Tyson Gamble is the new halfback with Phoenix Crossland shifting back to hooker. This sends Jayden Brailey to the bench and Matt Arthur to the reserves.

James Schiller returns on the wing while Tyson Frizell starts at prop for the first time since 2018, with Mat Croker named at lock. Will this reshuffle solve Newcastle’s attacking woes? Or will they draw yet another blank?

Let’s take a look at how these two teams will line up on Easter Sunday, along with some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Knights vs Sharks prediction.

 

Knights vs Sharks Teams

 

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. James Schiller

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Fletcher Sharpe

7. Tyson Gamble

8. Tyson Frizell

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Leo Thompson

11. Thomas Cant

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Mat Croker

14. Jayden Brailey

15. Tyrone Thompson 

16. Jermaine McEwen

17. Brodie Jones

 

Cronulla Sharks

1. Will Kennedy

2. Samuel Stonestreet

3. Jesse Ramien

4. Mawene Hiroti

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

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Sifa Talakai

16. Toby Rudolf

17. Tom Hazelton

Knights vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

If you can’t score tries, you’re probably not going to be able to win football matches. Take the Newcastle Knights, for example.

Two tries in their last three matches have left them in the lurch after a strong start to the season.

Now questions are being asked of head coach Adam O’Brien and his offensive coordinators, that’s why the raft of team changes comes as little surprise here as they go searching for meat pies.

If they want meat pies, they better go to a bakery, because despite being at home here, we can’t see this side scoring enough tries to stop the Sharks, who, last week, resumed swimming in the right direction.

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks.

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy moved up to third in the Dally M race last week with a stunning performance against Manly, which included a classy four-pointer.

Often the one throwing that last pass for a try, Kennedy has started getting on the end of attacking raids more and more and we fancy him as a prime candidate to be the first to the tryline in this one.

Betting tip: Will Kennedy.

 

Over/Under Prediction

When one of the teams involved has only averaged 9.2 points a game so far this season, it makes our decision here pretty easy.

The Sharks themselves haven’t been posting monster scores this season either, so we’re tipping the under to stick when it comes to total match points in this one.

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Knights vs Sharks Match Details

 

Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST.

Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.