Another crunch game to finish the round with Gold Coast essentially in a do-or-die situation and North Queensland eager to keep its roll going after climbing into the Top 8 for the first time in 2023.

The Titans had been gallant in tight losses to the Raiders (26-22), Dolphins (23-21 in golden point) and Eels (25-24), but with so much on the line they dropped their bundle in a 36-18 home loss to the previously struggling Roosters.

The Titans trailed 36-0 early in the second half as their trademark defensive frailties returned to roost for the first time since Jim Lenihan took the reins.

The Cowboys are on a blistering six-match winning streak that has catapulted them from second-last to seventh.

A renewed defensive vigour is complementing an effervescent attack led by in-form fullback Scott Drinkwater; both aspects influenced a 24-16 defeat of Parramatta last week in equal measure.

The Titans’ group of 17 is unchanged, though there is some engine-room shuffling between the starting pack and the bench.

The Cowboys endured a couple of injury setbacks with Jeremiah Nanai (AC joint) and Griffin Neame (HIA) both ruled out; Sam McIntyre and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown come onto the bench.

The Cowboys have won 13 of their last 16 against the Titans, including a 24-12 result in Townsville in Round 4.

The Titans are capable of matching it with most teams if given any leeway, but the Cowboys are in the zone right now and should leave Gold Coast with another valuable two points.

The post Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys Tips and Odds – NRL 2023 Round 22 first appeared on JustBetting.com.au.