The Broncos returned to their brilliant best at Suncorp Stadium last week, blowing the Panthers off the park in a dominant attacking display.
Coach Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged side for this week's clash and will look to his chargers for a repeat performance against a red-hot Sharks outfit.
Cronulla hasn't tasted defeat since Round 15 when they went down to the Broncos, and that's largely off the back of half Matt Moylan who is leading the league in try assists.
The Sharks have come along way since that loss. Their spine is now operating like a well-oiled machine, and the mid-season signing of Aaron Woods has bolstered an already powerful forward pack.
Backrower Wade Graham is in serious doubt for the clash having not travelled with the squad to Brisbane, due to the impending birth of his child.
With the battle for spots in the top-eight so close, these games hold significant importance in the run to the finals.
This clash will be a defining moment in the season for both teams.
L Lewis (Sharks), S Feki (Sharks)
J Paulo (Sharks), E Lee (Sharks)
Fine and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored: Broncos 21.3 / Sharks 20.2
Average points conceded: Broncos 21.0 / Sharks 17.7
Brisbane have defeated Cronulla in 4 of their last 5 encounters
Key NRL Betting Stats
Of the Sharks' 12 wins, 11 of those have been by a margin of 1-12: Sharks to win 1-12 @ $3.20
Cronulla have won 6 of 9 games on the road this season: Sharks win head-to-head @ $2.20
Clashes at Suncorp Stadium this season have averaged 46.4 total match points: 'Over' match line of 40.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: No Bet
Reasoning: Potentially the game of the round. Both teams are evenly matched across the park in what is set to be a very tight tussle. Too hard to split them.
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North Queensland continued their poor run last week with a loss to the Dragons in Townsville.
Averaging only 2.3 tries in their last four games, it's clear the once feared Cowboys attack is now nothing more than a toothless tiger.
In stark contrast, Newcastle welcome back Kalyn Ponga this week. Ponga, arguably the most potent attacking force in the game, will couple with half Mitchell Pearce and look to firm their grip on an already down and out Cowboys side.
Most agree that a team with the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Jason Taumalolo would have eventually found their feet, but this hasn't been the case for the Cowboys in 2018. Coach Paul Green will welcome back forwards Matt Scott and Jordan McLean into his side after both have overcome injuries.
The welcome return of Pearce in Round 18 has seen the Knights put together back-to-back wins.
Significantly, Newcastle are 6 from 9 this season with Pearce in the lineup and only 2 from 9 without him.
K Ponga (Knights), S Mata'utia (Knights), M Scott (Cowboys), J McLean (Cowboys)
N Meaney (Cowboys), C Denniss (Knights), S Fensom (Cowboys), M Dunn (Cowboys)
Fine and 21 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Average points scored per game: Cowboys 15.8 / Knights 18.3
Average points conceded per game: Cowboys 21.5 / Knights 26.0
The Cowboys have managed only 2 wins from 9 games at home this season
Key NRL Betting Stats
7 of the Knights 8 wins have been by a margin of 1-12 - Knights 1-12 @$3.60
The Cowboys have covered the line at only 38.9% this season - Knights +4.5@$1.90
Clashes at 1300 Smiles Stadium have averaged 34.3 total match points - 'Under' match points line of 41.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Knights to win head-to-head @ 2.50
Reasoning: The bookies have had a shocker here!
The Knights have a slim chance to make the top-eight and will see this game as a must-win.
They possess a more potent attack and a stronger will to win than the Cowboys. Expect Newcastle to be winning this game easily, with Kalyn Ponga putting on a man-of-the-match performance against his former club.
After a terrible performance against the Eels last week, the Dogs look destined for their first wooden spoon since 2008.
They scored only eight points against Parramatta who rank 12th in the league for points conceded, which only typifies how poor the Bulldogs attack is.
The Dogs now face a Tigers side who are ranked 5th in points conceded and with the Dogs' limited attacking flare, points will be hard to come by.
The Tigers much-maligned attack has improved significantly in recent weeks.
Averaging 21 points per game in their last two outings, the Tigers have finally found their groove.
The new-look spine of Mbye, Brooks, Marshall and Farah have taken all before them, defeating the top of the table Dragons and Rabbits in back-to-back weeks.
Average points scored: Bulldogs 15.9 / Tigers 15.8
Average points conceded: Bulldogs 20.8 / Tigers 17.6
Wests have an 80% win record when playing at ANZ Stadium this season
Key NRL Betting Stats
7 of the Tigers' 9 wins have been by a margin of 1-12: Tigers to win 1-12 @ $3.00
66.7% of Wests games this season have resulted in 'under' the total match points line
Clashes at ANZ Stadium have averaged 33.9 total match points: 'Under' match points line of 35.5 points @ $1.90
NRL Betting Tip: Wests to cover the line of -6.5 @ $1.90
Reasoning: The Bulldogs lack potency in attack and are coming up against one of the toughest defensive sides in the NRL here.
With the Bulldogs looking unlikely to score many points against a strong defensive line-up, it's difficult to see how they'll cover the line given the Tigers' newfound ability to pile on the points.
Jul 26, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
L Lewis (Sharks), S Feki (Sharks)
J Paulo (Sharks), E Lee (Sharks) 
Fine and 16 degrees.
Key NRL stats
Key NRL Betting Stats
NRL Betting Tip: No Bet
