Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction, Tips & Odds

Striving to regain some consistency and maintain a stellar home record, Manly invites a North Queensland side nudging the Top 8 to the northern beaches.  

FORM: The Sea Eagles have fallen into a win-loss pattern over the past six weeks, mixing solid home wins over the Rabbitohs and Storm with upset away losses to the Bulldogs and Eels.  

The 9-7 Cowboys snapped a three-game slide with a stunning 26-12 upset of the competition-leading Panthers to mark Jason Taumalolo’s 300th game.  

INS AND OUTS: Tolu Koula is set to line up in the centres for the injured Clayton Faulalo, provided he comes through Origin unscathed, while Blues teammate Haumole Olakau’atu is also named to back up.  

The Cowboys are unchanged from Round 17 with Origin stars Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi all named.  

KEY MATCH-UP: Whether they tangle at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday or not, the battle between Olakau’atu and Nanai at 4 Pines Park is must-see.  

HISTORY: Manly has won eight of its last 10 against North Queensland, including the last four straight. The Sea Eagles romped in 42-12 at home and 24-6 away last season, and 38-6 in Townsville in Round 7 this year.  

KEY STAT: The Cowboys have won five of their last seven at 4 Pines Park.  

VERDICT: Barrelling towards a top-four finish only a few weeks ago, the Sea Eagles could finish the weekend outside the Top 8 after some recent stumbles. The key factor shapes as home-ground advantage – Manly has won five from five under Foran at 4 Pines Park, by an average margin of 17. 

The Cowboys will be looking to channel the character of their rousing upset of the Panthers, but their last two away performances – in Canberra and Christchurch – were bleak.   

Prediction: Back the Sea Eagles to Cover the Line (-5.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: SEA EAGLES WIN / OVER 48.5 TOTAL POINTS / TOM TRBOJEVIC TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / HEILUM LUKI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.67