NRL Friday: Cowboys v Warriors betting tips, prediction & odds, round 12, 2021

Welcome to our North Qld Cowboys v NZ Warriors match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, on Friday, May 28.

This is the first of two NRL matches on Friday night, with Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra clashing in the later match at 7.55pm from Bankwest Stadium in Sydney.

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The Warriors have won three of the past four meetings with the Cowboys, including when they clashed just a month ago at Central Coast Stadium. The Warriors won that match 24-20.

In their only meeting in 2020, the Warriors won 37-26 when Todd Payten was in charge of the Kiwi team that overcome plenty of obstacles to be competitive. Payten of course has taken the reins at the Cowboys and no one will know the opposition better than he does heading into this clash.

This is an important clash for two aspirational sides who have identical 5-6 win-loss records before this match.

There is not a lot between these sides on the numbers, though the Cowboys are building a fine home record having won their past four matches at the ground.

Both these teams have tended to struggle against the top five NRL sides, and it’s matches such as these against their nearest peers that will decide whether either team can make the jump to finals football come September.

They are both fielding you and fairly inexperienced packs and both sides have plenty of exciting backs so this should be a high-scoring affair if the weather comes up clear as forecast.

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Cowboys v Warriors team news for round 12

The Cowboys have been weakened from their win over the Knights with powerhouse Jason Taumalolo and bench forward Lachlan Burr suspended, and centre Connolly Lemuelu (thumb) and Francis Molo (head knock) out injured.

On the positive side, ”the Hammer” Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (leg) has recovered after a lengthy stint on the sidelines and has been named at centre, while towering lock Coen Hess (head knock) is also back in the mix. Peter Hola and Corey Jensen have been added to the bench.

The Kiwi side has stuck with the 17 who go the job done last weekend against Wests Tigers.

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Cowboys v Warriors

Kick-off: 6pm local time
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville,
Head to head odds: North Queensland $2, NZ Warriors $1.80
Line: North Queensland (+2.5 points) $1.90, NZ Warriors (-2.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 49.5 points: over $1.85, under $1.95

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Cowboys v Warriors free betting tips

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Friday night’s game.

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NQ Cowboys v NZ Warriors prediction 28-5-2021

Jason Taumalolo is a genuine superstar of the game and his absence will be felt acutely by the home team. It is a huge advantage for the Cowboys to be on home turf but we can’t help but feel the Warriors have been slightly more impressive when they have come up against the better teams. It should be a close and gripping contest but overall the Warriors have a slightly more solid look. Our Cowboys v Warriors prediction: Warriors to win by 6 points.

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