Raiders vs Cowboys NRL betting tips | Round 6, Thursday 14/04/22

The NRL Easter long weekend kicks off on Thursday Night in the Nation’s capital as the North Queensland Cowboys leave the sunshine state for the first time this season to take on the Canberra Raiders. Of 42 head-to-head clashes, both sides have won 21 clashes a piece, despite the Cowboys winning the last two by a total of 22 points.

Cowboys player Scott Drinkwater has retained his starting spot in the fullback role, but a combination of home-field advantage with the naming of young gun Xavier Savage has seen the Raiders backed early. They’ve moved in to $1.55 from the original $1.65 price, pushing the Cowboys from $2.35 to $2.45 with Unibet.

Both clubs are coming off back-to-back losses in recent weeks, with GIO Stadium proving a difficult hunting ground for the North Queensland Cowboys who have only won 35% of games at this ground. The Raiders were able to restrict the Melbourne Storm last week to 30 points total, and with 49% possession were able to score 16 points of their own. Travelling to cold Canberra will be an immense challenge for the Cowboys given the Raiders were not disgraced against the Storm. The -4.5 line for Canberra looks a generous start for this match and a rather safe play.

In an uncanny coincidence, the Canberra Raiders score 15 points on average this season, while the Cowboys only concede 15 on average in defence. Recent results for both clubs have seen the total match points fall below this clashes total of 39.5. Given both sides inability to score points at times, with the Cowboys impressive defence to start the season, taking the ‘unders’ on the total 39.5 points in this match looks a lock.

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Key Matchup: Nick Cotric vs Murray Taulagi

Canberra has found it difficult to score points this season due to the instability in the halves. As this stability returns with Brad Schneider cementing his spot in the side, the Raiders should see their attack improve. Winger Nick Cotric may have only scored one try this season but has also busted an impressive 13 tackles in three games.

Cotric will be marking up on rookie Murray Taulagi who has missed five tackles in as many games. Taulagi will have his hands full in Canberra containing Cotric, making the $2 on offer with the top bookies for Nick Cotric to score at any time during this match an offer too good to pass up.

Canberra Raiders vs North QLD Cowboys betting prediction

As sound as the Cowboys defence has been this season, the trip to Canberra can be supremely tough, especially considering the Cowboys haven’t left the Sunshine state yet this season. This put’s the Raiders in favour to win and cover the -4.5 point line at $1.90.

Raiders v Cowboys same game multi pick

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