Titans vs Cowboys NRL round 22 preview & betting tips | Sunday, 30/7/23

Titans v Cowboys NRL best bets

Titans v Cowboys match preview

The Gold Coast Titans are set to host North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday afternoon in the Queensland Derby for round 22 of the 2023 NRL Premiership.

Titans interim-coach Jim Lenihan has made one change from his starting side against the Roosters in round 21. Klese Haas has been dropped to the interchange bench with Joe Stimson named to start in the second row. Isaac Liu has been named to start in the front row again but could be a late swap with Chris Randall from the interchange bench.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has been forced to make two changes after Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) and Griffin Neame (concussion) went down against the Eels last weekend. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will be elevated to the starting side for the first time in his career in the second row and bringing Sam McIntyre on to the interchange bench.

The Gold Coast Titans are struggling in fourteenth place on the NRL ladder after losing four of their last five games this season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ have climbed from sixteenth place on the NRL ladder to seventh by winning six of their last seven matches.

The Titans defensive effort in round 21 against the Roosters was incredibly poor. Taking on this red-hot Cowboys side in Townsville will be very intimidating, and their chances of winning are incredibly low if their defence does not improve. The Cowboys have beaten the Titans in two of their last three matches by 13 points or more. The home side should secure another 13+ point win on Sunday at $2.25 odds with the top NRL bookmakers.

North Queensland Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has been the form player of the NRL over the last month spearheading his side’s left-edge attack. His elite footwork, speed and playmaking abilities has led to himself, centre Valentine Holmes and winger Murray Taulagi scoring nine tries in total since round 18. A strong attacking performance from the Cowboys will bring tries to Taulagi ($1.69), Drinkwater ($1.86) and Holmes ($1.94).

Second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has played in five of the last six wins for the Cowboys. Two of those wins came against the Panthers and Rabbitohs where he scored a try in each match playing limited minutes. The structure of the Cowboys interchange bench this weekend suggests Finefeuiaki will play the full match, giving him more opportunity to show off his incredible attacking skill. Finefeuiaki is an excellent value bet to score a try at any time ($3.50).

Titans v Cowboys key matchup: Kieran Foran v Chad Townsend

Kieran Foran vs Chad Townsend

Experienced Titans half Kieran Foran will have an enormous role to play taking on Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend this weekend. Foran’s direction and kicking game will provide the visitors a chance to spend extended periods of time inside the host’s 20m zone. If the Titans can control possession and field position through Foran, they will have an opportunity to upset the Cowboys.

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