Cronulla Sharks v St George/Illawarra Dragons: NRL Thursday preview

Cronulla Sharks have suffered heavy back-to-back defeats and need to respond when they face the St George/Illawarra Dragons on Thursday.

The Sharks were in good form when winning three games on the bounce, but came crashing back down to earth with two defeats on the spin.

They remain in fifth place on the ladder and will not be reaching for the panic button ahead of the clash with the Dragons.

Two points will be the order of the day, but it will not be easy against a Dragons that are also desperate for the win.

The Red V had won two games on the bounce before suffering a heavy defeat against the Dolphins, and also need to return to winning ways.

Cronulla Sharks v St George/Illawarra Dragons betting preview

Sharks look to bounce back

Cronulla had found some good form when knocking over the Eels, Sea Eagles and Storm in consecutive weeks, before hitting a brick wall.

A 42-16 loss against the Roosters, followed up by 40-10 loss against the Warriors, will have hit them hard.

Back on home soil at Sharks Park once again, Cronulla need to get their season back on track with the win.

On average they have scored 23 points a game this season, but they have also conceded 22, and there lies the issue.

Against the Dragons, they can be backed at 1.90 to score over 28.5 points in the game.

They have won the last two games against the Dragons, including a 20-10 victory the last time they met at Sharks Park.

If it is to be another close game, the Sharks are 3.25 to win by 1-12 points.

Dragons stunned by Dolphins

The Dragons appeared to have found some form before they suffered a 50-point loss against the Dolphins at the weekend.

They will now be desperate to bounce back when they face the Sharks.

However their record at Sharks Park could be better, having won just seven of the 22 games they have played at the venue.

Again conceding points has been an issue as they have leaked, on average, 25 points a game this season.

They will need to tighten up in defence if they are to have any chance of springing an upset on Thursday night.

The Dragons can be backed at 5.00 to win a tight game by 1-12 points.

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Cronulla Sharks v St George/Illawarra Dragons odds

Cronulla Sharks - 1.30
St George/Illawarra Dragons - 3.60

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.