NRL Round 6 Preview and Prediction - Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders @ CBUS Super Stadium

Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders @ CBUS Super Stadium
 
Preview - The Raiders will be looking to keep building momentum in their season when they visit the struggling Titans on the Gold Coast on Saturday night. After a stuttering start, the Raiders have won 2 of their past 3 and put in their most impressive performance of the season last week with a 30-18 victory over Parramatta at home. Despite having won just 2 of their opening 5 games, the Raiders sit inside the Top 8 and are starting to gel after the first month when they looked a little unfit and underdone. The Titans once again were brave last week, however a second half collapse saw them give up a 10-point lead to go down 28-22 to the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium. The loss means the Titans have started the season with just 1 win from their opening 5 games, losing 3 games by 8 point or less with injuries playing a big factor.
 
History - The Raiders have an average record at CBUS Super Stadium having won just 3 from 10 overall. However, they have won 3 of their past 5 games on the Gold Coast. Last year the Titans beat the Raiders in Canberra 24-20, before the Raiders got their revenge later in the year winning 30-22 on the Gold Coast. Overall the Titans have an 11-8 advantage. 
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans finally get a couple of troops back from injury with both Anthony Don and Konrad Hurrell back from injury resuming their place in the backline. Tyrone Roberts-Davis shifts to fullback with Tyrone Roberts under an injury cloud and only named on an extended bench. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders welcome back Englishman Elliott Whitehead into the back row after he missed their Round 5 clash with the Eels through suspension. Big Dave Taylor could be the unlucky man to miss out against his former Club. 
 
Verdict - Raiders by 12-24 Points

I think the Raiders are ready to go on a bit of a roll now and, despite the Titans getting a couple of players back, I see them being no match for Canberra. The Titans’ defence has just been far too brittle this year for mine, and the Raiders are the sort of side that can cause them all sorts of problems with their pace and power and ability to offload. I see this game being a high scoring affair, with both sides scoring over 20 points. The Titans are rarely blown out and, with their season slipping away, I expect them to be competitive for most of the contest. However, I just think the Raiders will have too much class and win by a couple of tries.