NRL Round 16 Preview and Prediction - Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans @ Campbelltown Stadium
Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans @ Campbelltown Stadium
Preview - Both the Tigers and the Titans will be looking to break horror losing streaks as they clash at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night. The Tigers slumped to their 5th straight loss after they collapsed late in their game against the Sharks at Shark Park, giving up an 8-point lead with just 6 minutes to play. It was the 4th time this season the Tigers had led at halftime and failed to win, and they are now sitting on the bottom of the competition ladder after 15 Rounds. The Titans also suffered a 2nd half collapse in their game as they lost a 20-10 lead to the Rabbitohs, giving up 26 unanswered points in the 2nd half to lose 36-20. The Titans have now lost 4 straight games and sit in 14th place with little hope of them going back to the finals as they did in 2016.
History - The Titans beat the Tigers on both occasions in 2016, winning convincingly on the Gold Coast early in the season, before a frenetic 19-18 victory at Campbelltown in a game that ultimately decided both sides final's fate. Interestingly, in 7 of the 17 overall meetings between these two Clubs, the games have been decided by 3 points or less.
Wests Tigers' Scouting Report - The Tigers have suffered a big blow on the eve of this clash with James Tedesco ruled out from Origin two with an ankle injury. Aaron Woods will back up to add some starch to their pack that was brave in defeat against the Sharks at Shark Park last week. Woods comes straight back in as a direct replacement for Tim Grant in the starting front row after Grant was suspended for a week for a dangerous throw. Impressive young hooker Jacob Liddle has won the right to start at hooker for the first time this season ahead of Matt McIllwick who goes back to the interchange bench.
Gold Coast Titans' Scouting Report - Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Peats and Jarrad Wallace have all been named to back up from Origin on Wednesday night, and the Titans desperately need that injection of quality after a largely listless display against the Rabbitohs last week. Tyrone Roberts has been named in the Number 6, however is in some doubt given he picked up a shoulder injury against the Cowboys and missed last week's loss to the Rabbitohs. Ryan James is expected to be fit despite suffering bone bruising to his knee last week.
Verdict - Titans by 1-8
Both these sides are struggling this year and this is a genuine coin flip. However, the loss to Tedesco tips things in the Titans favour, so I will tip them to win by a narrow margin. I have not tipped the Tigers since Round 2, so it's been a long time since I genuinely thought they could win a game, however this might be their best chance for a while. Despite missing Woods and Tedesco last week, the Tigers' attitude was impressive against the Sharks and a couple of young players in Eisenhuth and Masters both impressed. The Titans, to me, look like a side that needs an attitude adjustment a bit at the moment. Their defence was so poor against South Sydney I just wonder whether there are a few problems in the camp this year. However They do have a very good record against the Tigers at home and on the road. I think the Titans have a better side on paper than the Tigers and can sneak over the line for a much needed win.