Rugby League / James Cleary / 16 July 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

The Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos lock horns at Skilled Park, and James Cleary sees both sides as needing a victory to strengthen their play-off prospects.

The Titans and Broncos come into the match looking to find form, having both been edged out in their last game, coincidentally, by Wests Tigers - the Broncos having enjoyed a week off last weekend.

The Titans' 15-14 defeat last week, courtesy of a 50m field goal, should make them doubly determined to hit back this time and return to the top four. To do so they will have to arrest a slump that has seen them lose five of their last seven.

The sides last met two months ago in week 10, when the Titans' three-match winning streak was ended 28-6 at Suncorp Stadium. They have lost four four of their last five against Brisbane, losing 40-32 last time out at this venue in the 2009 play-offs, although they have won the other two at Skilled Park.

Former Bronco Steve Michaels is added to the replacements bench for the home side, having signed for the Titans earlier this season. He is the only change to the side beaten 15-14 last week, with Scott Prince having successfully returned from a hamstring problem.

Queensland trio Sam Thaiday, Israel Folau and Darren Lockyer return to boost the Broncos' ranks, along with Alex Glenn, who has been out of action for a month with an ankle problem. Glenn comes in for Matt Gillett, who reverts to the bench, while Gerard Beale and Scott Anderson miss out.

Penalty count could prove key in deciding the outcome, with the Broncos the most disciplined in NRL against a Titans side who let themselves down in this area last week.

Key man Scott Prince should at least be more up to speed after his run-out last week, although with the Broncos' Origin stars back and rested and their superior record against the Titans - they have averaged 30 points in games between the teams since the start of 2009 - I'll plump for a Brisbane win by 10.

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