NRL Sunday: Warriors v Cowboys betting tips, prediction & odds, round 8, 2021

New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, on Sunday, May 2.

This is the first of two NRL matches on the Sunday, with the later match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium in Wollongong from 4.05pm.

NZ Warriors are going into this match as the bookies’ favourites, even though they are coming off a 42-20 Anzac Day thrashing at the hands of the Storm in Melbourne.

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The Warriors have won three of their past four matches against the Cowboys, including a 37-26 win in their only meeting in 2020 at this venue.

North Queensland will be full of confidence after three straight wins, against the Wests Tigers, Canterbury and Canberra. In the match against the Raiders they came from 24-6 behind to score a shock 26-24 upset.

This is a crucial match for both teams heading toward the midway point of the season.

The Warriors lies in eight place on the NRL ladder, while the Cowboys are 12th, even though they share a 3-4 win-loss record. A win could propel the Cowboys as high as seventh heading into round nine.

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Warriors v Cowboys team news for round 8

The NZ Warriors have second-rower Josh Curran available after he had a careless high tackle charge downgraded by the NRL judiciary, while they had more good news with three starting players returning from injury for this match.

Tohu Harris returns at lock, while the returns of centre Adam Pompey and winger David Fusitu’a allow Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return to his preferred fullback position from the wing.

The Cowboys have done well with three straight wins without ace second-rower Jason Taumalolo (hand), but he has been named to return. Prop Jordan McLean (hamstring) is in some doubt.

Read on for our Warriors v Cowboys tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Saturday, May 1.

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Warriors v Cowboys

Kick-off: 2pm local time
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Head to head odds: New Zealand $1.58, North Queensland $2.42
Line betting: New Zealand (-4 points) $1.90, North Queensland (+4 points) $1.90
Match total: 44.5 points: over $1.95, under $1.85

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Warriors v Cowboys free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted free New Zealand-North Queensland tips for Sunday’s game.

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New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys prediction 2-5-2021

Both teams enter this game relatively bullish about where they are headed this season. We think it’s going to be a close one as Cowboys coach Todd Payten certainly knows his opposition as their former coach. He has the Cowboys now playing good, accountable football, just as he did with the Warriors in trying circumstances. This should be a grim battle up front, and we expect a moment or two of RTS magin to separate the side. Our Warriors v Cowboys prediction: NZ Warriors by 2 points.

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