Cowboys v Panthers NRL preview, tips & team lists | Round 8

Cowboys vs Panthers best bets

Cowboys vs Panthers NRL Round 8 preview

Super Saturday football for round eight of the 2024 NRL season wraps up in Townsville with the struggling North Queensland Cowboys hosting a rejuvenated Penrith Panthers side.

The Cowboys have struggled over the past four weeks, securing just one win over the Gold Coast Titans, who are ranked last on the NRL ladder. On the other side of the field, the Panthers have won three of their last four without their star halfback for most of those matches.

North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten has named an unchanged line-up following last week’s 36-point loss to the Sharks in Cronulla.

Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary is set to return from a hamstring injury in the no.7 jersey, meaning Brad Schneider drops back to the reserves. Taylan May is named to start in the centres, pushing Paul Alamoti out of the matchday squad.

Cowboys v Panthers Rd 8 team lists

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Tom Chester
5. Semi Valemei
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Griffin Neame
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Jake Granville
15. Jason Taumalolo
16. Sam McIntyre
17. Thomas Mikaele

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Izack Tago
4. Taylan May
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Daine Laurie
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner

North QLD Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers betting prediction

The Cowboys will have to overcome their own poor form as well as the Panthers’ 11-match winning streak against opponents ranked in the top eight. Further, in each of the last six matches, the favourite has gone on to cover the line. Backing the Panthers to beat their -9.5 handicap is one of the safest bets of the weekend ($1.85).

If the points are to come from anywhere for the Cowboys, it will be through Scott Drinkwater. He has already scored five tries this season and particularly enjoys night matches in Queensland, having scored tries in each of his last six night matches. There is great value on offer for Drinkwater to score a try at any time ($3.25).

Panthers back-rower Scott Sorenson has struggled through injury to start this season, but he should be sharp enough after playing 80 minutes against the Tigers. He will be attacking Jeremiah Nanai, who has missed 14 tackles already this season. If he’s fit, Sorenson will be every chance to get the better of Nanai and score a try at $4.80 with the top Australian bookmakers.

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