Friday night action begins in Townsville this week, with the Cowboys hosting the Tigers. It is getting close to ‘must win’ territory for both teams to generate positive momentum which will give them a genuine chance at winning the competition. Both sides will be searching for consistency and are desperate for an 80-minute performance. Before You Bet is here to take a comprehensive look at the action ahead.
NRL Round 12 Preview & Betting Tips
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers
Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Friday 24th May – 6pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Cowboys finally broke a 5-game losing streak by capturing a 28-22 victory over the Rabbitohs. In a game void of quality execution, both teams had opportunities but gave their fair share away to their opponents. You only have to look as far as the NRL Power Rankings to see how much the Cowboys are struggling. They are playing below their level of talent. This was a classic example; with just 47% possession, they completed at only 69%. A better team would’ve put them away in this match far sooner. They also conceded 5 line breaks and missed 51 tackles. The fact that they still won despite such shortcomings might be a step in the right direction.
The Tigers tried hard against the Dolphins but ultimately, were their own worst enemy. Unlike the Cowboys, they suffered consequences for their mistakes. Despite a tight first half where they trailed 12-6 at HT, they stayed within striking distance but could never capitalise on their high completion rate (90%) by build pressure. They also conceded more metres and allowed 5 line breaks. They are a team which has demonstrated improvement, but consistency is still eluding them; they must obtain this if they wish to be competitive against the superior teams in the competition.
Match Prediction
Good luck finding a winner in this game. Not only is form of each team questionable, but the statistics are also all over the place. Strap yourself in… The two most recent matches have been blowout victories to either team (74 point victory to the Cowboys & 48 point victory to the Tigers). The past three games have been won by the home team, but the Tigers only have a 33% winning record at this ground. The Cowboys have a far better attacking record (25ppg vs 14ppg) compared to their opponents, but the Tigers have an edge in defence, conceding far less points this season (26ppg vs 22ppg).
With the form of either team this year inconsistent, it is best to trust your eye and invest on potential. The Cowboys are getting closer to a ‘break out’ performance. There were signs against the Rabbitohs that this was on the horizon. With plenty of their stars due Origin selection, perhaps this is their last chance to ‘reward’ their club fans before their hiatus. The only thing which could work against them is that Koroisau will have a similar plan; when he dictates the terms of a game, the Tigers are a completely different team. Most sides do a strong job of shutting him down, but such is his talent, that is never a forgone conclusion. With the Tigers also losing personnel ahead of this clash, the Cowboys are justified favourites ($1.22 vs $4.30).
The challenge is finding value in your investment. With 3 of the past 5 matches decided by 13+ margins in difficult Townsville conditions, expect the Tigers to be pressure by an improving Cowboys team in this contest.
Cowboys -13.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
These 3 Cowboys players are ones who will likely vacate their club team in coming weeks. Expect a bold performance from them, taking every opportunity possible to cross the line for a try.
Taulagi, Holmes & Nanai to Score
SGM Odds: $7 at Ladbrokes (0.5 Units)
