The first of Saturday night’s two games is the Cowboys taking on the Canberra Raiders and the first stat that stands out when looking at the previous matches between the two sides, is the amount of points that are generally accumulated.

In the past five encounters, an average of 49.2 points have been scored with only one match producing a total score under forty points.

Whilst neither team haven’t been in top form (Cowboys 2-4, Raiders 3-3), some of their best efforts have been in recent weeks with the Cowboys going down narrowly against the Broncos (12-10) and the Raiders recording a tough win over the Warriors (20-16) in the respective Round 6 clashes.

The Cowboys have won the last four contests against the Raiders and have only been bettered by the Canberra side twice in ten matches since 2007.

The Cowboys have been far from their best this year but get the chance here, with several players returning from a successful one of test again the Kiwis last weekend, to get their season going.

They should win and plenty of points be scored.

TIP: COWBOYS with TOTAL MATCH POINTS >

Odds Comparison:

Nth Queensland Cowboys	1.33	1.35	1.35	1.35	1.33	1.34
Canberra Raiders	3.40	3.25	3.20	3.25	3.40	3.40

Teams:

Nth Queensland Cowboys:
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (c), Michael Morgan, Matt Scott (c), Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson
Interchange: Ray Thompson, Gavin Cooper, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims (one to be omitted).

Canberra Raiders:
Reece Robinson, Sandor Earl, Jarrod Croker, Jack Wighton, Edrick Lee, Josh McCrone (c), Sam Williams, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Matt McIlwrick, Brett White, Joel Edwards Jake Foster, Shaun Fensom
Interchange: Terry Campese, Joel Thompson, Dane Tilse, Paul Vaughan.