Cowboys v Panthers NRL betting tips & odds – June 16, 2023

Cowboys v Panthers predictions & best bets

Cowboys v Panthers preview & betting strategy

Round 16 of the NRL Premiership kicks off in Townsville at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this Friday night with the North Queensland Cowboys hosting the Penrith Panthers. In the second major bye round of the year, accommodating for State of Origin, both sides have several stars missing.

The Cowboys will be desperate to win with Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Valentine Holmes all being selected for representative duties. Jake Granville will take over the hooking role with Jason Taumalolo returning from a knee injury along with Zac Laybutt coming into the side. Sam McIntyre will make his Cowboys debut off the interchange bench with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

The Panthers have made several changes to their side as well with Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Jerome Luai, Liam Martin, and Stephen Crichton all being selected in the New South Wales Blues squad. Tom Jenkins will play his second NRL match on the wing with Tyrone Peachey, Jaeman Salmon will play in the halves, while Lindsay Smith and Luke Garner will come off the interchange bench.

These two clubs have met a total of 40 times with the Panthers winning on 21 occasions. The last match played between these two sides was without all the Panthers stars in Townsville where the Cowboys dominated in a 30-point win. The Cowboys will be without some of their own stars; however, with Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Jason Taumalolo in the side, the home team should prove to be too good. Look for the Cowboys to secure a narrow win, hitting the 1-12 margin at $3.45 odds with BetOnline.

The clear target in attack for the Cowboys will be the Panthers rookie, Jenkins. Reports suggest he is very talented at NSW Cup level; however, Friday night he will be taking on the veteran Kyle Feldt who has been one of the best try-scoring finishers in recent history. If it is not an attacking kick, Jenkins will be placed in a position where he is forced to rush out of the defensive line, giving Feldt the space to score at any time ($2.10).

A fortnight ago against the Storm, Cowboys fullback Drinkwater put on a ball-playing clinic, recorded two try assists to go with six tackle breaks. Since round 11 he has shown steep improvements in his form that will have this Panthers side very worried in the lead up to this match. Cowboys fans will be hoping the two-week break will rejuvenate Drinkwater and the Cowboys which should see him score a try ($2.90).

Key matchup: Drinkwater v Edwards

Scott Drinkwater vs Dylan Edwards

Dylan Edwards will captain the Panthers for the first time in his career against one of the most dangerously skilled fullbacks in the NRL. Edwards will continue to play his role through his huge work rate for the Panthers but will be required to step up as a play maker to compensate the losses of Cleary, Luai, and Yeo in the middle. The further Edwards steps up against Scott Drinkwater, the closer the Panthers will go to getting a win in Townsville.

Cowboys v Panthers predictions & best bets

More sports betting tips