Dolphins vs NQ Cowboys Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Round 26 Match Preview

⏰ 25 August 2023 - 20:00 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Suncorp Stadium

Rugby League fans are gearing up for an entertaining contest when the Redcliffe Dolphins take on the North Queensland Cowboys. The NRL clubs go head-to-head on 25/08/2023 at 8:00pm AEST.

In anticipation of this highly-anticipated match, AusBetSites has gathered the latest betting odds from 3 Aussie bookies across 13 wagering markets. The oddsmakers have installed the Cowboys as clear favorites entering the game with moneyline odds of 1.22.

The North Queensland Cowboys face a must-win clash to keep their finals dreams alive when they meet the Redcliffe Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night. It has been an up-and-down year for the Cowboys, who started slowly before finding red-hot form to beat top teams like Penrith, Melbourne, South Sydney and Parramatta.

However, three consecutive losses to the Titans, Broncos and Sharks now has North Queensland outside the top eight with time running out. Last week's 32-12 home defeat to Cronulla was extremely disappointing in their biggest game of the season.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have dropped nine of their past ten matches as they battle roster depth issues in their debut NRL campaign. But Redcliffe have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, with five of their past six losses being by eight points or fewer.

The Cowboys will need to recapture their best form that saw them beat the competition heavyweights if they are to keep their finals hopes alive against the battling Dolphins. Anything less than victory could spell the end of their rollercoaster season.

Dolphins vs NQ Cowboys Head-to-Head

With the Dolphins being a newer club to the NRL, the head-to-head history between these two teams is very limited. Redcliffe entered the league in 2023, meaning they have faced the Cowboys only once so far. In their inaugural meeting earlier this year in April, the Dolphins picked up their first ever win over North Queensland with a 32-22 victory. With just the one matchup between these clubs since Redcliffe joined the NRL, there is a very small sample size to draw conclusions from the head-to-head record. Both teams will be eager to grab bragging rights and establish dominance in this newfound rivalry that has only just begun. However, based on their triumph earlier this season, the Dolphins will come into the upcoming contest with confidence against a Cowboys side they've already beaten.

Dolphins Performance

🟥🟥🟩🟥🟥 The Redcliffe Dolphins come into this match eager to bounce back from some recent struggles. In their last five games, the Dolphins have managed just one win against four losses. With only a single victory in their previous five outings, it's clear the Dolphins have hit a rough patch, losing momentum after a promising start to their inaugural NRL season. The one win and four defeats over this stretch demonstrate Redcliffe's inconsistency lately when it comes to stringing together positive results. They will be determined to turn their fortunes around with a strong performance against the Cowboys. If the Dolphins are to get back on track, they must regain their best form after stumbling to just one win from their last five matches.

NQ Cowboys Performance

🟥🟥🟥🟩🟩 The North Queensland Cowboys enter this match looking to bounce back after some mixed recent results. In their last five games, the Cowboys have earned two wins against three losses. With two victories and three defeats in their past five contests, the Cowboys have struggled to find consistency lately, alternating wins and losses. Their two triumphs and three losses over this stretch demonstrate North Queensland's up-and-down form that has seen them fail to put together consecutive positive results. Coming off back-to-back defeats, the Cowboys will be determined to return to the winner's circle against the Dolphins. If inconsistent North Queensland are to get back on track, they must regain their rhythm after a rollercoaster few weeks yielded two wins from their previous five outings.

📋 Players to watch:

• Jamayne Isaako has crossed for a try in each of his last 4 matches for the Dolphins. He'll be looking to continue this hot streak.
• Kyle Feldt has been in consistent form on the wing for the Cowboys, scoring tries in 5 of his team's past 6 games.
• Dolphins fullback Scott Drinkwater has an excellent nighttime try scoring record, having crossed the stripe in his last 6 games played in night conditions.

All three players have been regularly hitting the scoreboard lately. With their teams set to clash on Friday night, expect these in-form players to be threats once again as they look to play a key role for their side. Both the Cowboys and Dolphins will need big performances from their speed men out wide.

⚡ Match Facts:

• In their only previous meeting this year, the Cowboys lost 32-22 to the Dolphins. However, there is minimal history between these newer rivals.
• Both teams are struggling for form recently, each winning just 2 of their last 5 games. Momentum could go either way.
• The Cowboys are ranked higher at 9th on the table with 11 wins compared to the Dolphins down in 14th with 8 wins. The standings give the Cowboys an edge.
• North Queensland has a strong offense, averaging over 20 points per game. Their scoring power gives them an advantage over Redcliffe's weaker defence.
• The game is in North Queensland, giving the Cowboys a home-field advantage.
• The probabilities (55% Cowboys) suggest North Queensland should be narrow favorites.
• In a matchup between two inconsistent teams, I'll give a slight edge to the higher-ranked Cowboys at home. Their offensive firepower can overcome Redcliffe's defence in a 26-18 win. However, the Dolphins showed earlier this season they can beat the Cowboys. Either team could emerge victorious.

💡 Match Prediction:

According to predictive models, the North Queensland Cowboys enter as narrow favourites against the Redcliffe Dolphins. The probability sits at 55.6% for the Cowboys compared to 44.4% for the Dolphins. That translates to fair odds of $1.80 for North Queensland and $2.25 for Redcliffe, highlighting the Cowboys' small projected edge. With both teams showing inconsistent form lately, the betting market sees the higher-ranked Cowboys as slightly more likely to win at home.

The forecast calls for the Cowboys to prevail by an estimated 3 points in what should be a close contest between two evenly-matched sides. However, with the Dolphins scoring an upset win earlier this season, the data suggests this could go either way with the Cowboys having only a slight advantage.

Dolphins v Cowboys: 18-26 or Cowboys to win by 3 points

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