The St. George Illawarra Dragons will host the North Queensland Cowboys at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night, with the home side desperate to avoid a 0-5 start for the first time in the joint venture’s history.

The Dragons sit at the bottom of the ladder after four straight defeats and have now lost eight straight dating back to last season.

Their most recent loss came against the previously winless Titans. Meanwhile, North Queensland has rebounded from a 0-2 start with wins over Gold Coast and Melbourne and will be confident of continuing that form, having won six straight against St. George Illawarra.

In team news, Lyhkan King-Togia replaces Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth for the Dragons, while Moses Suli and Toby Couchman return.

David Fale has been named on the wing for his club debut. Tom Chester is back from suspension for North Queensland, with Zac Laybutt dropping to the extended bench.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this Saturday showdown, check out our Dragons vs Cowboys tips and predictions below.

Dragons vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

St George will go searching for their first win of the season when they welcome the Cowboys to Jubilee Oval in NRL Round 5.

One of two remaining teams yet to pick up points in 2026, it’s already panic stations for the Red V.

North Queensland were in a similar situation to start the season, before quickfire back-to-back wins set them right.

Their win last week against Melbourne, has won them some serious kudos in our book and as a result were backing them to enjoy a successful road trip down South against the Saints.

Betting tip: North Queensland Cowboys.

First Try Scorer Prediction

He didn’t quite open the scoring last week, but Cowboys winger Braidon Burns did strike within 11 minutes in his side’s victory over the Storm.

He went on to grab a brace there and has also scored a try in each of his last eight appearances in Sydney.

With some favourable stat lines behind him, we’re backing Burns to be the first one over the stripe in this one.

Betting tip: Braidon Burns.

Over/Under Prediction

Seven of the last eight matches between St. George Illawarra and North Queensland have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (49.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

North Queensland has covered the line in each of their last six matches against St. George Illawarra.

Betting tip: Cowboys (-2.5) line.

Dragons vs Cowboys Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Christian Tuipulotu

Christian Tuipulotu has scored at least one try in seven of his last eight home appearances.

Murray Taulagi

Murray Taulagi has scored at least one try in eight of his last nine away appearances.

Lyhkan King-Togia

In five of North Queensland's last six away matches, the opposition's starting five-eighth has scored at least one try.

Jaxon Purdue

Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in eight of North Queensland's last 10 matches against teams on a losing streak.

Emre Guler

Emre Guler has scored a try in each of St. George Illawarra's last two matches at Jubilee Stadium.

Scott Drinkwater

Scott Drinkwater has scored at least one try in four of North Queensland's last five matches against St. George Illawarra.

Dragons vs Cowboys Teams

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List

1. Clint Gutherson (c)

2. Christian Tuipulotu

3. Moses Suli

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Dave Fale

6. Lyhkan King-Togia

7. Daniel Atkinson

8. Emre Guler

9. Damien Cook (c)

10. Toby Couchman

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Jaydn Su'A

13. Hamish Stewart

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Blake Lawrie

16. Jacob Halanaghu

17. Hame Sele

18. Josh Kerr

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Braidon Burns

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Tom Chester

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Jake Clifford

7. Tom Dearden (c)

8. Coen Hess

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Heilum Luki

12. Sam McIntyre

13. Reuben Cotter (c)

14. Soni Luke

15. Griffin Neame

16. Thomas Mikaele

17. Matthew Lodge

18. Harrison Edwards

Dragons vs Cowboys Match Details

Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026.

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEDT.

Location: Jubilee Oval, Sydney.