Cowboys vs Titans tips, predictions & multi picks – NRL Round 3

The North Queensland Cowboys will enter their round three clash against the Gold Coast Titans in Townsville on Sunday as underdogs with NRL bookmakers as they look to arrest their alarming start to the 2021 season.

The Gold Coast Titans showed signs of life in their 12-point win over the Brisbane Broncos, but they still have a lot of work to do before they convince anyone they can be a genuine threat to play this year.

The Cowboys, under new coach Todd Payten, know their season could effectively be over before it begins if they sink to a 0-3 start. Without Jason Taumalolo they are going to lose the battle in the middle. On the edges the Titans have a strike weapon in David Fifita, while the Cowboys don’t have much to write home about.

Fans and experts have long overrated the Cowboys roster, and it’s about time we recognise they will be contending for the wooden spoon. Even though the Titans have only won three times in Townsville in their 14-year history, it would be an enormous upset if they were to lose this weekend.

Key matchup: Tanah Boyd vs Michael Morgan

Tanah Boyd will replace Ash Taylor for the next month due to a broken hand, and how he fares against Michael Morgan will help determine the margin. Taylor can make the Titans a dangerous side if he can find his best form, but can Boyd cause a selection headache if he puts together a good month?

If Morgan finds his best, he can at least make the Cowboys competitive. North Queensland seem to have too many pieces that want to be in the playmaking spine, and they aren’t getting the combinations right. The Titans, on the other hand, are settled on what their best nucleus looks like. It will take an enormous effort for the Cowboys to fix those issues in the space of the week, but this appears to be the only area they may have an advantage.

Cowboys betting information

Two of the three tries the North Queensland Cowboys have scored have come from kicks, so it is going to be difficult to say with any authority who looks likely to score. Valentine Holmes is rumoured to be unhappy on the wing, so perhaps he comes looking for opportunities in-field and could get something to go his way. Reece Robson also might be one who provides a bit of value taking on the big forward pack of the Titans. Still, it feels like they’ll be 0-3 come Sunday night.

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Murray Taulagi
3. Esan Marsters
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Michael Morgan
7. Jake Clifford
8. Francis Molo
9. Reece Robson
10. Jordan McLean
11. Mitchell Dunn
12. Coen Hess
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Jake Granville
15. Josh McGuire
16. Corey Jensen
17. Lachlan Burr

Titans betting information

A roughie to score at any time is Tyrone Peachey, but this feels like a good week to back him. The Cowboys have been extremely vulnerable with smaller players who challenge the line. Peachey is the kind of player the Cowboys middle are hoping doesn’t come on energised, and it might even be time to get a little frisky and include Mitch Rein in that conversation. Again, the Titans are still very much finding their groove and will have some moments where they aren’t quite as ruthless as they should be, and that brings the 1-12 margin into play at a cool $3.10 with Sportsbet.

Gold Coast Titans

1. AJ Brimson
2. Anthony Don
3. Phillip Sami
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Corey Thompson
6. Tanah Boyd
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
10. Moeaki Fotuaika
11. Kevin Proctor
12. David Fifita
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Sam Lisone
16. Jaimin Jolliffe
17. Erin Clark

Cowboys vs Titans winner prediction

We think the Titans will win their second close game in a row, with a margin between 1-12. David Fifita could score again, as Mitch Dunn and Michael Morgan could have a tough night trying to slow the big unit down.

Cowboys vs Titans same game multi

The Titans should cover the -6.5 line with their star no.12 getting on the score sheet, while Valentine Holmes looks the best of the tryscorer chances for the Cowboys. Put them all into a three-leg multi at Sportsbet for a handy return of $11.