<p>Sitting in sixth place, the Cronulla Sharks head into Round 26 still an outside chance of snaring a top four spot, though they must capitalise in their clash against the Newcastle Knights at Sharks Park on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Cronulla remains just one win behind the fourth-placed Warriors following their bye last week. The Sharks head into this match as heavy favourites over Newcastle, who learnt a lot more about their future during the week with coach Adam O’Brien set to depart imminently after six years in the Hunter.</p> <p>Despite being hammered 46-12 at home by the Broncos, O’Brien has named the same lineup for Newcastle. The Sharks finally welcome back powerful centre KL Iro, nudging Siosifa Talakai to the bench.</p> <p>Jesse Colquhoun starts at lock for Cam McInnes who is out for the season, while Braden Hamlin-Uele is brought in for Tuku Hau Tapuha.</p> <p>Check out our Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights match preview for plenty of betting tips and predictions across a host of markets. From H2H to anytime try scorer and everything in between.&nbsp;</p> <p>Looking for all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this clash? Check out our Sharks vs Knights prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sharks vs Knights Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The penultimate match of the penultimate regular season round sees the Sharks welcome the Knights to the Shire on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Not much to report on here, the Knights are dreadful, and the Sharks are surging, as well as fully rested after a bye.</p> <p>We like Cronulla by plenty here, with the only thing between the Knights and the wooden spoon being the equally as hapless Titans.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Cronulla Sharks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Tryscorer Prediction</h3> <p>We like the look of returning strike centre KL Iro for first try scorer here. The Sharks’ outside back has been the first try-scorer in each of his last two appearances against opponents that were ranked in the bottom four and we’re tipping him to make it three against the Knights.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> KL Iro.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Seven of Cronulla's last eight home matches against Newcastle have gone under the total match points line.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points (50.5).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sharks vs Knights Anytime Tryscorer Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Ronaldo Mulitalo</h3> <p>Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored at least one try in each of his eight previous appearances at Sharks Stadium against opponents that were ranked in the bottom four.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Dominic Young</h3> <p>Dominic Young has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances against Cronulla.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Mawene Hiroti&nbsp;</h3> <p>In each of Newcastle's last five matches, the opposition's starting right centre has scored at least one try.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>William Kennedy</h3> <p>In each of Newcastle's last four away matches, the opposition's starting fullback has scored at least one try.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sharks vs Knights Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Cronulla Sharks Team List</h3> <p>1. William Kennedy</p> <p>2. Sione Katoa</p> <p>3. Mawene Hiroti</p> <p>4. KL Iro</p> <p>5. Ronaldo Mulitalo</p> <p>6. Braydon Trindall</p> <p>7. Nicho Hynes</p> <p>8. Addin Fonua-Blake</p> <p>9. Blayke Brailey</p> <p>10. Toby Rudolf</p> <p>11. Billy Burns</p> <p>12. Teig Wilton</p> <p>13. Jesse Colquhoun</p> <p>14. Hohepa Puru</p> <p>15. Sifa Talakai</p> <p>16. Thomas Hazelton</p> <p>17. Braden Hamlin-Uele</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Newcastle Knights Team List</h3> <p>1. Dane Gagai</p> <p>2. Dom Young</p> <p>3. James Schiller</p> <p>4. Bradman Best</p> <p>5. Fletcher Hunt</p> <p>6. Jake Arthur</p> <p>7. Jack Cogger</p> <p>8. Jacob Saifiti</p> <p>9. Phoenix Crossland</p> <p>10. Leo Thompson</p> <p>11. Jermaine McEwen</p> <p>12. Kai Pearce-Paul</p> <p>13. Tyson Frizell</p> <p>14. Jayden Brailey</p> <p>15. Mat Croker</p> <p>16. Thomas Cant</p> <p>17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sharks vs Knights Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, August 31, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 2:00pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Shark Park, Sydney.&nbsp;</p>