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Read Article Cronulla Sharks vs. Newcastle Knights prediction: Sharks favored to win Friday's NRL Round 20 matchup [7/17/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Experience Officer
Get Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights predictions for NRL Friday.
The Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights are scheduled to meet in the National Rugby League (NRL) at Shark Stadium on Friday, starting at 4:00 AM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' advanced NRL model predicts the Sharks as the most likely winner of the Knights vs. Sharks game.
This article offers a closer look at Friday's matchup, including best bets and picks.
Sharks vs. Knights prediction: Who will win Round 20 game?
Using innovative machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Friday's NRL game between the Knights and Sharks, forming part of our NRL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Sharks an 81.0% chance of beating the Knights.
According to our model, the Sharks (-8.5) have a 56.8% chance of covering the spread, while the 42.5-point over/under has a 60.4% chance of going over,.
Knights vs. Sharks odds
We have researched the best NRL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Knights | Sharks |
|---|---|---|
| H2H (Moneyline) | +188 | -250 |
| Line (Spread) | +8.5 (-120) | -8.5 (-105) |
| Total | o42.5 (-114) | u42.5 (-112) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Knights vs. Sharks picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets in this matchup. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Sharks -8.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Sharks | -250 |
| Total | Over 42.5 | -114 |
According to our NRL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Sharks to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Sharks vs. Knights game-day updates and essential details
Friday's Australian rugby league game between the Sharks and Knights at Shark Stadium is scheduled to begin at 4:00 AM ET.
- Who: Newcastle Knights vs. Cronulla Sharks
- Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
- Time: 4:00 AM ET/1:00AM PT
- Venue: Shark Stadium
The NRL is available to bet on in the US through all major sportsbooks, with there even being games played in Vegas each season as of 2024.
Conclusion
We predict the Sharks, with an 81.0% win probability, will likely beat the Knights in Friday's NRL matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Damien Souness is Chief Experience Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, helping lead sports media brands such as Dimers. He specializes in creating trustworthy and data-driven content for sports fans, with experience working for globally recognized sports and media organizations.
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