Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys
23rd August 0705hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Knights -8 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August
The season doesn’t continue to get any better for the Cowboys who suffered yet another defeat in their horrid run of form.
The Knights meanwhile, continue to recover their form after a bit of a blip having made it back to back league wins.
They are still looking in good shape for a top-eight finish and will be keen to deliver two points against an out-of-form Cowboys.
Table of Contents
Newcastle Knights Preview – Knights to continue revival
The Newcastle Knights hit a bit of a blip in back to back losses against the bottom side Canterbury Bulldogs and then the in-form Melbourne Storm.
But they have since recovered having won their last two fixtures.
The first of those was a big thumping success over Wests Tigers and then a two-point win last weekend over the Sea Eagles.
That moved the Knights on to a W8 D1 L5 record for this campaign and they are well set for a top-eight finish.
There has not been anything wrong with their scoring this season as they have tallied an average of 21 points per fixture in this campaign.
That is a couple more on average than what the Cowboys have put on the board.
But there is a big difference between the two when it comes to defence, as the Knights have done well in conceding only an average of 16 points per game.
In contrast, the Cowboys have shipped an average of 26 points per game.
With that big margin in mind, then it is straight to the handicap market for Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys betting we go.
There, a Newcastle Knights -8 handicap is at 10/11 and the option looks fantastic value for this game* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).
It’s an 11/10 quote to push on the extra couple for a -10 but we think that it’s not worth going there* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).
Earlier this season the Cowboys collected a 32-20 victory over the Knights and even though North Queensland are on a poor streak, they have been pushing teams close.
North Queensland Cowboys Preview – Cowboys slmp continues
The Cowboys have now slumped to a five-match losing streak in this season’s NRL.
Last weekend they were just denied in a 30-31 loss against the Rabbitohs.
Twice in their last three defeats, they have only lost by a margin of less than three-points.
So those have been tough results to swallow and they have to find a way to dig themselves out of a hole.
The Cowboys were left third from bottom after the last round of action and on a W3 L11 record for this campaign.
They are hurting a little bit defensively at the moment as that’s back to back games in which they have conceded at least 30 points.
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North Queensland Cowboys can, however, take a little bit of inspiration from their head to head record against the Newcastle Knights as of late.
The Cowboys have won five of their last six fixtures against them.
They have, however, won only 6 of 18 fixtures at the McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle since 1989.
Incidentally, the last game that the Cowboys won this season was against Newcastle back in round seven.
Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys Betting Advice
The Cowboys were kicking themselves last weekend, throwing away a 30-24 lead with six minutes left on the clock to slip to another defeat.
They are actually playing with plenty of fire in their bellies, but mistakes, likely because of the losing streak pressure have crept in.
While the Cowboys have a positive recent run of results going against the Knights, we have to back the Newcastle win.
Key Facts – Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys Betting Tip
- Newcastle Knights have won their last two league games
- The Cowboys are on a five-match losing streak at the moment
- North Queensland Cowboys have won 5 of the last 6 against the Knights
Because of the Cowboys still being competitive despite results and their position in the ladder, we are not looking for a big winning margin here for the Knights.
The -8 Knights handicap on them for that 10/11 quote looks a sound option, and anything more getting a little too risky* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August)
The best betting odds for Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys
Newcastle Knights to win: 3/10 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
North Queensland Cowboys to win: 13/5 at Bet365
