The Sea Eagles head to Shark Park to take on Cronulla in the opening match of NRL Round 13 this Friday evening.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles
Manly enter this clash in brilliant form, having won seven of their eight matches under interim coach Kieran Foran for fourth on the ladder.
Last week they showed their mettle, scraping past the Titans without a host of Origin stars.
The Sharks have been more mercurial, and sit in ninth place with an even win-loss record.
They come into Round 13 off the back of a bye, before which they trounced the Bulldogs.
Leg 1 - Sea Eagles 1-12
The Sea Eagles haven't put a foot wrong in two months, with their one loss since March coming by just two points to competition leaders the Panthers.
Even their depleted lineup was able to come away with points last round.
With Haumole Olakau'atu, Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate all back for this match, it's hard to see that stopping now.
Leg 2 - Home Team Under 23.5
Manly have the best defence in the competition right now, not conceding any more than 18 points across their last eight games.
With the Sharks absent their key playmaker Nico Hynes, they're unlikely to be the first team in two months to crack the Sea Eagles' defence.
Leg 3 - Lehi Hopoate to Score
Hopoate has grown into a crucial cog in Manly's attack, scoring at least once in each of his last seven games.
The winger is a genuine aerial threat, particularly off Jamal Fogarty's cross-field kicks, yet also averages 167m run and 52m post-contact per game this season.
He missed Round 12 due to suspension, so expect him to be eager to make amends this round and find the line one way or another.
Same Game Multi
Sea Eagles 1-12 / Home Team Under 23.5 / Hopoate to Score = $7.25
Value Bet
Mulitalo will take confidence from his successful return to the NRL last week, where he picked up a double against the Bulldogs.
The Sharks' winger historically scores in bunches, bagging a brace and hattrick in the closing rounds of 2025 before rupturing his ACL.
