Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction: The two teams are not living up to expectations

At PointsBet Stadium in Sydney, the Gold Coast Titans will play the Cronulla Sharks for the first time since 2019. A win for the Cronulla Sharks over the Gold Coast Titans at home will go a long way toward securing them a spot in the 2023 finals. Also, the Gold Coast Titans will look to avoid another defeat here as they boost their possibility of a spot in the postseason.

Through their dominating performance against the Rabbitohs, the Cronulla Sharks were able to put their detractors to rest for at least one more week. In their last weekend match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the home side did well to pick up a tough 16-26 win on the road. By scoring two tries and making one linebreak, Braydon Trindell served as the ideal complement to Nicho Hynes in the halfback position. Most crucially, Trindell relieved the Dally M winner of some of the strain associated with creating and kicking, which allowed the Dally M winner to return to his best form after a number of challenging weeks. As a result of Ronaldo Mulitalo's return to action on the flank after a two-week absence caused by a jaw injury, Mawene Hiroti has been moved to the position of 18th man. Jesse Colquhoun is now seated in the bench position, taking over for Thomas Hazelton. Heading into this match, the Cronulla Sharks boast two wins in their last five matches, positioning them 6th in the NRL ladder.

The Gold Coast was unable to pull off another shocking victory like they did in Week 22 against the North Queensland Cowboys when they faced off against the New Zealand Warriors in Round 23.After Moeaki Fotuaika was shown a red card in the 16th minute of the play, the Titans made a valiant effort to stay in the contest, but towards the end of the match, they could only see that they were behind 18-28. Once again, Jayden Campbell was a threat, and he demonstrated to Des Hasler, the head coach of the 2024 team, that he needs to be included in the starting lineup every week throughout the following season. The Gold Coast Titans' ambitions of making the finals are in shreds after winning only one of their previous six games; if they suffer another defeat this week, their hopes will be extinguished entirely. As a result of Moeaki Fotuaika's hit in round 23, the referee has decided to start the match with the front row comprised of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Jaimin Jolliffe. Chris Randall will take over as the hooker after the season for Sam Verrill, whose time on the water has come to an end. A.J. Brimson is also in danger of missing the rest of the season, and Jayden Campbell should be able to step in and start at fullback.

In two of their previous three games, the Gold Coast Titans have scored 18.5 points or fewer than their opponent. In their previous eight matchups against the Cronulla Sharks, the Gold Coast Titans have failed to score more than 18 points on any occasion. In each of the last three games involving the Cronulla Sharks and each of the last two games involving the Gold Coast Titans, the overall score at halftime was fewer than 25 points. In each of their last six encounters, the Titans have given away a try to the second-rowers on the opposing team. Since the eighth round of 2018, when they last faced off against the Gold Coast Titans, the Cronulla Sharks have won eight games in a row, dominating their opponents.

After a few weeks of dismal results, I think the Cronulla Sharks turned a new leaf against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the most recent round of the NRL. I could be crazy, but I think this. As a result of the fact that not only did their new combination of halves finally connect, but also their defense appeared more intact, I am forecasting a score of under for their match on Friday against the Gold Coast Titans.