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North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL Tips - Cowboys trot to victory over the Titans

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Wed 23 Apr 2025 14:06

Jeremy Darke 23 Apr 2025

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North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 8 NRL game
Kick off is at 5:30 PM (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Murray Taulagi has scored in 4 consecutive games; key player for Cowboys.
Cowboys expected to win due to improved defence and Titans' defensive struggles.

Jez's predictions for the North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans.

North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction

Two teams on polar opposite trajectories makes this one a gimme to pick with the Cowboys expected to cover easily in the Queensland rivalry clash against the Titans.

North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis & Betting Trends
North QLD Cowboys Team News
North QLD Cowboys Team List
Gold Coast Titans Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Gold Coast Titans Team News
Gold Coast Titans Team List
North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8 FAQ’s

Todd Payton has turned the Cowboys season around has them on a 3-0 run after dropping their first three matches of the year while the Titans are once again skidding out of control and have lost three in a row as a result of their ill discipline in defence.

The Titans have allowed 30+ points in 4 of their 6 games this season and are averaging 27 points against on the year. Struggling with injury, it makes them easy picking for the Cowboys, who have been locked in defensively while starting to find their rhythm in attack without Val Holmes and Kyle Feldt.

Murray Taulagi is back to his best and has scored in 4 consecutive games and is expected to cause majors for the poor Titans defence.

The Cowboys have beaten the Titans by 12 points or more in their last 3 matches at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
3 of 4 Titans losses have been by a 13+ margin in 2025.
The Gold Coast have given up 30+ points in 3 consecutive games and 4 of their 6 matches this season.
Murray Taulagi has 5 tries in his last 4 games.

Head to Head

The Cowboys and Titans both won their games on their home field in 2024, North Queensland 13-point winners and the Gold Coast getting up by 2 points.

The Cowboys have won 4 of the last 6 matches against the Titans and their last 3 at QCBS.

North QLD Cowboys Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	4-1	1-4

The Cowboys are 50% this season winning their last 3 matches after dropping their opening three.

Stronger defensive performances saw the Cowboys get victories over the Raiders, Panthers and Rabbitohs before having the bye in Round 7. North Queensland gave up 104 points in their first 3 matches but made an incredible turnaround, giving up 50 points less in their following three matches, which resulted in victories.

Although they haven’t been lighting up the scoreboard in attack, the Cowboys have been grinding away and have lifted themselves out of their opening round slump by controlling the ball and doing the work.

North Queensland ranks sixth with an average of 1433.7 run metres per game and 52.8% of the territory.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
4-2	2-4	3-1	0-2

North QLD Cowboys Team News

John Bateman returns to the starting side after recovering during the Cowboys bye week.

Jeremiah Nanai holds his spot in the starting side while Kai O’Donnell drops to the bench.

North QLD Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Robert Derby

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Viliami Vailea

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Tom Dearden

7. Jake Clifford

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. John Bateman

12. Jeremiah Nanai

13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange

14. Sam McIntyre

15. Kai O'Donnell

16. Griffin Neame

17. Coen Hess

Reserves

18. Harrison Edwards

19. Zac Laybutt

20. Thomas Duffy

21. Karl Lawton

22. Thomas Mikaele

Gold Coast Titans Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	3-2	1-4

It is the same old story for the Gold Coast Titans whose defence becomes the talking point of their poor results. The Titans dropped their third consecutive game at the hands of a 30-20 defeat by the Canberra Raiders, which was also the third consecutive match where they have allowed their opponents to score 30+ points.

The stats are damning for the Titans who rank 15th or less in 4 of the 5 key stats that are ranked high in our prediction calculations. The Gold Coast are ranked 15th in opposition run metres, linebreaks and territory and are 16th in possession in 2025.

When it comes to attack they are not much better, ranked 12th or worse in all 5 categories, which includes tackles inside opposition 20m. It looks like another long year for Titans fans.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
3-3	2-4	0-1	2-3

Gold Coast Titans Team News

Jayden Campbell was a late scratch for the Titans last week and will miss the match against the Cowboys, while David Fifita has been named despite suffering an injury in the Titans latest loss.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira will return though with Allan Fitzgibbon dropping out. Brock Gray is back from suspension and pushes Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui out of the 17.

Gold Coast Titans Team List

1. Jaylan de Groot

2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

3. Brian Kelly

4. Phillip Sami

5. Jojo Fifita

6. AJ Brimson

7. Tom Weaver

8. Mo Fotuaika

9. Sam Verrills

10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

11. Chris Randall

12. Beau Fermor

13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange

14. David Fifita

15. Jaimin Jolliffe

16. Brock Gray

17. Arama Hau

Reserves

18. Tony Francis

19. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

21. Allan Fitzgibbon

22. Josiah Pahulu

North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8 FAQ’s

How to watch North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8?

You can watch the North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8?

To buy tickets to the North QLD Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans NRL 2025 Round 8 game check the NRL website or the official North QLD Cowboys site.

Verdict

North QLD Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans

The Cowboys cover as 8.5 point favourites scoring over 28.5 points in the process and Murray Taulagi crossing for a 4-pointer.

North Queensland -8.5

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