A Queensland derby kicks off our Sunday NRL action, as the winless Titans head north to take on the Cowboys in Townsville. Both teams will be looking to bounce back after last start losses, and with decent conditions looking likely up north, hopefully some attacking footy is on offer.
Below, we will dissect the matchup, supply our Best Bet, and suggest a Same Game Multi. Be sure to keep up to date with all the NRL fixtures, as we preview every single game all season long, for free!
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- Guide to Betting on the NRL
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- Factors to Consider When Betting on the NRL
2024 NRL Round 5 Preview & Betting Tips
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Sunday 7th April, 4:05pm (AET)
Last Week
The Cowboys lost their first game of the season last week, as they were destroyed by the Broncos 38-12. Coach Todd Payten will be praying this was just a momentary glitch on an otherwise solid start to the season, however there are some concerns for the Cowboys, particularly defensively, that they will need to figure out if they’re to push deep into the finals this year. The stats weren’t overly telling in the matchup with the Broncos, indicating the Broncos were able to score every chance they got, whereas the Cowboys struggled to score points when required.
The Titans continued their miserable start to the 2024 season, losing their third-straight to kick-off the new campaign, going down 30-14 to the Dolphins. The Titans led 10-0 early, but conceded five consecutive tries in a 45-minute bloodbath, to remain the only team in the NRL without a win this season. The Titans conceded seven line-breaks, missed 39 tackles, and made 11 errors on their way to another sub-par display of rugby league. Comfortably the worst team in the competition this year, coach Des Hasler needs to find something, and fast.
Match Preview
These Queensland rivals met twice last season, with both teams coming away the victor at home. The Cowboys got the win at home in round 4, winning 24-12 after closing 7.5-point favourites at home. The Titans flipped the script in round 22, winning 22-13 at home as 9.5-point home underdogs.
For this matchup, the Cowboys opened 16.5-point home favourites, which is easily the biggest line of the season. It’s easy enough to justify, with the Titans averaging just 6 points per game this season, whilst conceding 30 points per game. If there was a team that could play this Titans attack into form though, it’s the Cowboys, who themselves are conceding 25 points per game, good for third most in the league. Despite the massive line, it’s difficult to see any other result than a big Cowboys win, but the line is just too big to get involved in my opinion.
As for the total, it opened at 46.5, where it remains. I lean over; however, I cannot trust the Titans to keep up their end of the equation. The Cowboys could win this 40-6 and the over still won’t hit. With the Cowboys team total sitting around 30.5, I like them to eclipse this number. They seem like a flat track bully this season, and there’s no flatter track than the Titans at home.
Cowboys (Team total) Over 30.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
D Fifita (1+ try) – Hasn’t scored a try for a little while against the Cowboys, but if the Titans are going to get anything going, they need their big backrower to step up this weekend.
K Feldt (1+ try) – The Titans have been poor defensively in general this season, particularly on the left edge. Expect Feldt to get across the line this weekend.
V Holmes (1+ try) – Val Holmes is always a threat to score, and with the 30+ points I’m expecting from the Cowboys this week, a try to their star centre seems highly likely.
SGM Odds: $17.69 at Neds
