Accor Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 27 NRL game between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Canterbury Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canterbury Bulldogs vs. North Queensland Cowboys game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday September 7, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: Accor Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
Another final-round encounter with both combatants playing for the same reward and consequence as fifth-placed Canterbury hosts sixth-placed North Queensland.
The winner is guaranteed a home elimination final, while the loser is vulnerable to getting leapfrogged by Manly and being forced to travel in week one.
The Bulldogs red-hot run was halted in a Round 26 reality check, with the Sea Eagles ending their five-match winning streak 34-22. The leading defensive team in the NRL heading into the game, it was the most points Cameron Ciraldos gritty side has conceded all year.
Stephen Crichton is a huge in for the chastened Bulldogs, timely with Bronson Xerri out suspended. Matt Burton has been ruled out after failing an HIA, bringing Drew Hutchison into the halves.
The Cowboys have won five of their last six games, but they made hard work of a gift two points against a second-string Melbourne side last Thursday as they bumbled their way to a 38-30 win.
It summed up the strength and weakness of the NRLs third-best attacking outfit and by far the worst defensive unit of the top seven teams. The Cowboys only change sees Thomas Mikaele replace Jaxon Purdue on the bench.
The Cowboys have won 10 of the clubs last 14 clashes, including a gripping 20-18 win in Townsville in Round 20. But the Bulldogs have won two of the last three in Sydney, including last years 15-14 golden point thriller. Only one of the teams last 14 matches produced more than 44 points.
The importance of Crichtons return cant be understated and a return to the Bulldogs usual defensive resolve should be enough to subdue the Cowboys, who have left Townsville just once since the end of June. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight at Accor Stadium.
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Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Tip
We're tipping Canterbury Bulldogs to win at $1.90 odds.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Jack Underhill 21. Eli Clark 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Jonathan Sua
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Tomas Chester
