Following a first week bye, the Wests Tigers will open their season hosting the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers went undefeated through the preseason but had to put that momentum on pause while watching the other 16 teams open their accounts last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys made the long trek home from Las Vegas after their 28-18 loss to the Knights – a battle which cost them Tom Mikaele for several weeks with a knee injury.

Looking for more improvement in Benji Marshall’s third season as head coach, the home side will unleash youngsters Heamasi Makasini and Luke Laulilii in the backline, while former Knight Kai Pearce-Paul starts in the second row.

Jock Madden returns to his former club after a disappointing three-year stint at the Broncos and will come off the pine.

The Cowboys have won five in a row against the Tigers, including the last two at Leichhardt, with no other major personnel changes from last week to report.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this tango in Tiger Town, check out our Tigers vs Cowboys tips and predictions below.

Tigers vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The Tigers will get their first taste of regular season footy when they welcome the Cowboys to Leichhardt Oval on Saturday arvo.

Blessed with the bye to start the season, Benji Marshall’s boys will be extra fresh heading into this one against a North Queensland side who flew to the other side of the world just to lose to the Knights.

It’s pretty clear all is not well up in the tropics and Todd Payten’s job is in serious danger. His side were well below their best in Vegas and surely the commutes are starting to add up.

We’re tipping the Tigers at home here, simply due to how fresh their legs will be in comparison to their counterparts.

Betting tip: Wests Tigers. 

First Try Scorer Prediction

We’re tipping the Tigers to start on top in this one. That means we need to go searching their ranks for a potential first try scorer.

Sunia Turuva is the man that stands out at first examination because in eight of North Queensland's last nine matches at Leichhardt Oval, the opposition's starting right wing has scored at least one try.

Betting tip: Sunia Turuva.

Over/Under Prediction

Each of the last eight matches between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (51.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

The Wests Tigers have failed to cover the line in 10 of their last 11 matches as home favourites.

Betting tip: North Queensland Cowboys (+4.5) line.

Tigers vs Cowboys Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Murray Taulagi

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

Jahream Bula

Jahream Bula has scored at least one try in each of the Wests Tigers' last four matches against North Queensland.

Braidon Burns

Braidon Burns has scored a try in each of his last seven appearances in Sydney.

Samuela Fainu

Samuela Fainu has scored at least one try in three of his last four appearances at Leichhardt Oval.

Tom Dearden

Tom Dearden has scored a try in four of North Queensland's last five matches against the Wests Tigers.

Jaxon Purdue

Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in each of North Queensland's last two matches against the Wests Tigers.

Tigers vs Cowboys Teams

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Taylan May

4. Heamasi Makasini

5. Luke Laulilii

6. Jarome Luai

7. Adam Doueihi

8. Terrell May

9. Api Koroisu (c)

10. Fonua Pole

11. Samuela Fainu

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Alex Twal

14. Jock Madden

15. Sione Fainu

16. Royce Hunt

17. Alex Seyfarth

18. Tristan Hope

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. Kai O'Donnell

16. Griffin Neame

17. Matthew Lodge

18. Liam Sutton

Tigers vs Cowboys Match Details

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Kick-off: 3:00pm AEDT.

Location: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.