Lions vs Sharks Predictions & Tips - Sharks can upset the odds in Currie Cup final

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 19 Sep 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 19 Sep 2024

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Lions slightly favored after a dominant season with 9 wins from 10 games.
Sharks in superb form, recovering from early losses to reach the final.
Thrilling head-to-head stats: each team won an away game this season.

Expired

Sharks backed in cracking Currie Cup final (Getty Images)

Lions vs Sharks Predictions

The Lions are slight favourites after dominating this season, but the Sharks have put out a strong side for this final. This should be a cracking affair in Johannesburg, a game worthy of a final.

Lions vs Sharks Predictions
Head to Head
Lions Form
Lions Injuries & Team News
Sharks Form
Sharks Injuries & Team News

It could go either way, but I am leaning slightly towards the Sharks to take this one or at least get within three points.

Lions have won 10 of their last 11 matches.
Sharks have won 5 of their last 6 matches.
Sharks won their last away match against the Lions.

Head to Head

The Lions and Sharks have met twice this season with each winning away from home. In Durban, the Lions won 26-25 and the Sharks won 35-22 in Johannesburg.

Lions Form

The Lions have been fantastic all season, topping the Currie Cup table with nine wins from their 10 matches. Their only defeat in the season came in round four against the Sharks.

In round one of the 2024 Currie Cup, the Lions beat the Sharks 26-25 in Durban. Three weeks later, at Ellis Park, the Sharks were superb, winning 35-22.

However, the Lions recovered from that defeat to win their remaining games, mostly quite comfortably. Last week, in the semi-final against the Cheetahs, the Lions had to fight back after going 14-0 down early in the fixture.

A strong second half performance saw the Lions claim a 43-34 home win in the semi-final. They will, however, know that this week they must be far better to contain a rampant Sharks side.

Lions Injuries & Team News

The Lions have a similar side to last weekend with injury concerns relieved from earlier this week.

Sharks Form

The Sharks have endured a rather strange season to date. They lost their opening three games of the Currie Cup before causing an upset to beat the Lions in round four. They have not lost a game since.

After defeating the Lions, the Sharks drew 44-44 against the Pumas and then went on a five-match winning streak to book third spot on the table.

Last week, in the semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria, the two sides produced one of the most epic and dramatic knockout Currie Cup games in recent memory.

For large parts of the game, the Sharks had 12 or 13 players on the field but somehow the Bulls didn’t pull away on the scoreboard. Then, the Sharks survived a last-minute penalty as the Bulls couldn’t find the target which sent the game into extra time at 33-33.

The Bulls scored a converted try early in the second half of extra time before the Sharks scored with close to the final play of the game to make it 40-40. They progressed because they scored more tries in the game.

Sharks Injuries & Team News

The Sharks had a energy sapping game last weekend but they have put out a strong side for this fixture.

Verdict

Lions v Sharks

I am backing the Sharks to get inside the +3 handicap and win the Currie Cup.

Sharks +3

Handicap

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Sharks Win

Full Time Result

@13/8 - 3 Units

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