3 minute read
North Queensland Cowboys will be out to pick up back-to-back wins when they entertain the struggling Wests Tigers on Friday night.
It has been a disappointing 2024 for the Cowboys as they sit in 12th spot on the ladder with five wins to their name.
They have work to do just to make the top eight and are priced at 2.10 to get there.
However there is a lot of work to be done and two points against the Tigers is an absolute must for them.
Wests Tigers are on the slide after losing six games on the bounce and will be missing some key players when they travel to Townsville.
They have suffered eight defeats this season and are 3.25 to suffer most losses in 2024.
. What: North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers
. Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
. When: 18:00 (AEST), Friday 24th May 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: North Queensland Cowboys 1.30, Wests Tigers 3.50
Cowboys look to kick on
Following an encouraging start to the season, the wheels came off for the Cowboys as they went on to lose five games on the bounce.
The run of defeats put a huge dent in their premiership aspirations, but at least they managed to snap the losing streak at Magic Round.
It may not have been convincing, but the six-point win over South Sydney Rabbitohs could kick-start their season once again.
They now have a great chance to build on it against a Tigers side that do not enjoy travelling to Queensland.
But the Cowboys will have to improve on home soil after winning just two of the last six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Cowboys did smash the Tigers 74-0 in the corresponding fixture in 2023, but have not been in that kind of form this season.
Todd Payten's men can still be backed at 2.05 to win by 13+ points.
Murray Taulagi scored a hat-trick of tries in that win, taking his tally to seven in five games against the Tigers.
Tigers must stop the rot
After a couple of encouraging wins, the Tigers have gone into free-fall, losing the last six games on the spin.
Benji Marshall's side are struggling to put points on the board, while poor discipline on the pitch is also costing them badly.
They have managed to score over 17 points on just one occasion this season, and can be backed at 2.55 to not reach 14 points in Townsville.
The Tigers head into the game on the back of a six-point loss to Newcastle Knights, when ill-discipline against cost them.
Brent Naden and Justin Olam will now be suspended for the Cowboys clash, joining Aidan Sezer on the sidelines.
Despite their poor form and only winning two of their last 12 trips to Queensland, the Tigers have pulled off shock wins in the past.
They can be backed at 9.00 to snatch the win by 1-5 points on Friday night.
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