Titans vs Cowboys Prediction: Cowboys can cling onto play-off hopes

Two teams at the wrong end of the NRL table meet the Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday as the Gold Coast Titans entertain the North Queensland Cowboys (07:05 BST).

Titans fans have had to endure a miserable campaign so far, with Gold Coast only collecting 12 points after winning four of their 14 games, which has put them at the bottom of the table. The Cowboys are only three points better off, but they are five places higher than Sunday's opponents and a win could go a long way to helping them reach the playoffs.

Team news

Titans coach Des Hasler has moved Brian Kelly to the centres for Sunday's clash, with Jojo Fifita out on the wing. Tom Weaver is due to start at halfback after Jayden Campbell was ruled out with a head injury.

State of Origin pair Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika are back in the starting lineup.

Cowboys pair Jordan McLean and John Bateman have dropped out of the squad at late notice due to calf and groin injuries, respectively. Kai O'Donnell and Griffin Neame are promoted from the bench as a result.

Forward Jason Taumalolo is still unavailable for at least another week due to a calf issue, but Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter have returned to the squad.

Titans vs Cowboys Odds

The Titans are 13/10 to win despite having home advantage, while the draw is priced at 18/1. The Cowboys are 4/6 to win in 80 minutes and 11/10 to cover the -4 handicap.

The hosts are 5/4 to win the first half, while the Cowboys can be backed in the same market at 5/6.

North Queensland Cowboys 1-12 Points @ 11/5

Cowboys coach Todd Payten described his team's 42-8 defeat to the Sydney Roosters as "men against boys".

While that is not ideal preparation for this weekend's clash, the Cowboys are playing the worst team in the competition in the Titans.

Gold Coast fell to a 36-20 defeat against the Parramatta Eels last week, which was a huge disappointment as the Eels were without two of their big Origin stars.

The Titans then lost Campbell to a head knock, and his absence will be hard felt this weekend. North Queensland hammered the Titans 50-18 in Round 8 and it is hard to see the hosts reversing that result.

Over 50.5 Points @ 10/11

The Cowboys will need to show plenty of heart on Sunday as their defensive woes continue to make life harder for themselves.

Payten's team have conceded 138 points in their past three games and the Titans have little to lose at the bottom of the table.

They are playing for pride for the rest of the season, so they should be able to make the Cowboys work hard for the victory, which in turn means we should get a high-scoring battle.

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