NRL Finals Week 2 Expert Tips

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The NRL finals are down to six teams, with Week 2 bringing two sudden-death clashes and no room for mistakes.

The Sydney Roosters host the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, before the New Zealand Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.

With both matches offering a place in the preliminary finals, here are my expert tips for Finals Week 2.

Roosters 1-12 vs Sharks
Tip: Roosters 1-12

The Roosters enter the clash after a 19-12 loss to the Panthers in Week 1, but their performance against the minor premiers showed they are capable of competing with the best sides in the competition.

They now return to Allianz Stadium for a sudden-death clash against the Sharks, who come into the game full of confidence after eliminating the Cowboys 26-16.

The Sharks' defensive effort against North Queensland was particularly impressive, holding firm during the Cowboys' late attacking surge to secure their place in Week 2. Braydon Trindall was the key difference and he starts despite injury concerns.

Angus Crichton is back on the bench for the Chooks, with no Sam Walker return for now. Egan Butcher is injured and out of this clash, Salesi Foketi starts in the second row.

James Tedesco remains a major threat at the back despite a poor perfromance against Penrith, while Daly Cherry-Evans brings enormous experience to the halves. The Roosters' ability to control territory and field position could prove decisive in what is expected to be a tight contest.

If the Roosters can diffuse Trindall, I see no chance of a Sharks upset, but if he controls the game and stays as uninjured as possible, the Sharks are capable of winning.

Warriors 1-12 vs Knights
Tip: Warriors 1-12

The Warriors face a completely different challenge after suffering a 26-16 defeat to the Dolphins in Week 1.

That loss means they are now fighting for their season, while the Knights arrive after eliminating the Rabbitohs 20-10 in their own sudden-death clash.

Despite their Week 1 disappointment, the Warriors have a huge advantage this weekend: Eden Park.

The Warriors have been one of the NRL's strongest home teams this season, and the atmosphere in Auckland should make this an extremely difficult assignment for Newcastle.

The Knights will be full of confidence after their victory over South Sydney, but the Warriors have already shown they can produce their best football at home.

There are also injury concerns surrounding the Warriors, with Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak among those dealing with fitness issues. Ford is out of the game, with Halasima and Watene-Zelezniak on the extended bench. For the Knights, Dylan Lucas is on the extended bench and could be a huge boost to their chances if he's deemed fit.

That makes the team news worth monitoring throughout the week. The Warriors manner of defeat to the Dolphins is what could concern them, but in front of a huge Eden Park crowd it'll be an uphill battle for the Knights to win this one.