Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction – Round 8 2025

The Wests Tigers will close out ANZAC Round when they host the Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

After a chaotic week off the field, the Tigers were beaten 38-22 by the Eels in a chaotic Easter Monday clash which nudged them down to 12th place.

The Sharks on the other hand have now won consecutive matches for a second time this season, defeating the Knights 34-14 with the victory seeing them climb up to sixth.

Cronulla’s recent results over the Tigers have been dominant, winning 11 of the past 13, however, Benji Marshall’s men were triumphant when they met at this venue last year.

The big news leading into this game, unsurprisingly, revolves around Lachlan Galvin with the boom five-eighth named in the Tigers’ first grade side again. Galvin’s return sees Luke Laulilii make way on the wing with Brent Naden moving out wide and Adam Doueihi into the centres.

Will the decision to bring Galvin back from the wilderness inspire Wests to victory? Or will it prove to be another misstep in a campaign quickly becoming filled with them?

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

 

Tigers vs Sharks Teams

 

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Adam Doueihi

4. Starford To'a

5. Brent Naden

6. Lachlan Galvin

7. Jarome Luai

8. Terrell May

9. Api Koroisau

10. Fonua Pole

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Alex Seyfarth

13. Alex Twal

14. Tallyn Da Silva

15. Royce Hunt

16. Jack Bird

17. Sione Fainu

 

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. Tuku Hau Tapuha

17. Tom Hazelton

Tigers vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

It was a tale of two halves for the Tigers as they became only the second team this season to lose to Parramatta last week.

We’re not talking about 40-minute increments either, we’re talking about players. Dropping young five-eight Lachlan failed to galvanise the Tigers, as returning Parra and NSW halfback Mitchell Moses orchestrated their downfall with a stone cold masterclass.

In an effort to avoid completely hitting the self-destruct button, head coach Benji Marshall has swallowed his pride and reinstated Galvin for this showdown with the Sharks.

Will the return of their highly sought after youngster be enough to stop the black and orange train flying further off the tracks? Or does reinstating a wantaway star simply pour further fuel on the fire?

Keep in mind the Tigers have lost nine of their last 10 matches against teams on a winning streak, which is what Cronulla are currently on. Sharks by plenty here.

Betting tip: Cronulla Sharks.

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

We’ve been backing this bloke for a few weeks now and he’s getting closer and closer to coming in for us.

Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy is arguably one of the form players in the entire competition, in fact after last week’s exploits against Newcastle, he has swum his way to the top of the Dally M leaderboard.

He once again found his way to the try line last start, he just needs to do it before anyone else this week.

For all the script writers out there looking for an alternative option, a Lachie Galvin opening try would be absolute cinema.

Betting tip: Will Kennedy.

 

Over/Under Prediction

As always, we’ll be consulting the form book for the over/under market. A quick investigation shows that five of Cronulla's last six matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Tigers vs Sharks Match Details

 

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST.

Location: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.