North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Predictions: Visitors to grab crucial victory

Two teams battling for a place in the NRL finals series meet at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Sunday morning, when North Queensland Cowboys host the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Read below for my North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs predictions and all the latest team news heading into this important clash.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

North Queensland are set to be boosted by the return of their Origin quintet, though it is not yet known how big a part Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford, Jake Granville, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre will play.

Semi Valemei is closing in on a return from an ankle injury and has been included in the extended squad.

As for Canterbury, prop Josh Curren replaces the injured Max King, who is sidelined with a wrist issue, with Poasa Faamausili being added to the bench.

Jacob Preston is back in the fold after overcoming a foot problem, while captain Stephen Crichton has also been named to back up from Origin Three.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds

North Queensland are 4/6 favourites to pick up the win on home soil, with the draw priced at 20/1 and Canterbury 5/4 to claim the spoils on their travels.

Canterbury to win @ 5/4

Just two points separate these two teams heading into Sunday's contest and a victory for either side would boost their chance of qualifying for the finals series.

North Queensland finished third in the regular standings last season before losing in the preliminary finals, while Canterbury last reached the finals series back in 2016.

The Bulldogs have been starved of success for too long and they won't want to let their current place in the top eight of the division slip with eight games of the campaign remaining.

Canterbury have built momentum with back-to-back golden point victories, edging past the Sharks 15-14 and the Warriors 13-12, while they have won five of their last six assignments.

Cameron Ciraldo's side now make the trip to the Queensland Country Bank Stadium, a stadium the Cowboys have won just three of their seven fixtures at in 2024.

North Queensland were beaten 21-20 at home by the Sea Eagles last time out, ending a two-match winning run, and there is enough doubt about their form in their own backyard to side with the Bulldogs.

Under 46.5 total points @ 5/6

Canterbury's defence has been the main reason they are currently in a position to reach the finals series, with their points against tally of 263 bettered only by the Penrith Panthers.

The Bulldogs' last five matches have all gone under 46.5 points, while that bet has also landed in eight of their last nine assignments.

North Queensland have also obliged in the under 46.5 total points market in their last two outings, and this looks like the betting route to go down again.

Rugby League Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.