NRL Round 19 Previews and Betting Tips

 

Dragons v Titans Fri 15 Jul, 7:50PM, Jubilee Oval

The St George Illawarra Dragons will take on the Gold Coast Titans this Friday night as both teams return from a bye this week after disappointing losses against Manly and the Warriors respectively. Sitting 8th and 9th on the ladder, both the Dragons and Titans are a good chance of making the top eight, but staff of both clubs will surely be pressing their players hard with only eight weeks until the end of the regular season.
The Dragons have elected to make one change, with Kurt Mann coming into the side in the centres at the expense of Tim Lafai. The Titans will welcome back David Mead, Ashley Taylor and Konrad Hurrell with Nathan Friend and Eddy Pettybourne on an extended bench in a massive boost for the club.
It will be a tight contest between two clubs desperate to consolidate a finals berth but expect the Titans to benefit enormously from their returning players, particularly in their attacking structure. Against a Dragons side who have struggled to produce results in attack, expect the Titans to get the points.

Betting Tip: Titans Head to Head @ $1.83 (Unibet)

 

Sea Eagles v Warriors Sat 16 Jul, 3:30PM, nib Stadium

The Manly Sea Eagles will play the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday evening with both teams backing up from a bye after impressive wins in round 17. A resurgent Warriors propelled themselves to 7th on the competition ladder with a win over the Titans, while Manly were dominant in their 36-6 demolition of the Dragons.
Injury and suspension to usual centre pairing Dylan Walker and Brayden Wiliame will rule the pair out with Matt Wright and Lewis Brown shifting to the centres as cover. Bradley Parker is set to make his NRL debut on the wing, while Blake Leary and Siosaia Vave will join an extended interchange.
The Warriors have also named a number of roster changes with Ben Matulino coming into the side at the expense of Albert Vete. Manu Vatuvei will also return on the wing as Tuimoala Lolohea comes onto the bench in place of Nathaniel Roache.
The Warriors’ run of success will give them the edge as they go into the match as favourites, and expect their back-line to apply plenty of pressure to rag-tag centre pairing of Lewis Brown and Matthew Wright. The Sea Eagles will struggle to match the Warriors’ momentum, so expect the Kiwis to get the points.

Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 39.5 @ $1.90 (Bet365)

 

Rabbitohs v Broncos Sat 16 Jul, 7:30PM, ANZ Stadium

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the Brisbane Broncos this Saturday night as the Brisbane club desperately look to end their form slump, having only won one of their last six matches. The Rabbitohs are also desperate with their last win coming back in round 11.
For the Broncos, Jordan Kahu and Sam Thaiday will return from injury and suspension respectively in place of Lachlan Maranta and Jaydn Su’A in a big boost for the struggling club. Herman Ese’ese, Joe Boyce and potential debutante Marion Seve have also been included on an extended bench.
Souths Captain Greg Inglis has been given a three week ban after a shoulder-charge incident in Origin III, but the only change named in the Rabbitohs’ lineup is George Burgess’ return from injury at the expense of Tautalatasi Tasi.
Despite their run of losses, the Broncos will be fielding a relatively strong 17 and will take the field with the knowledge that if they are to recover from their form slump and make a top four position, their comeback must start now. The Broncos are a win clear of 4th position and will look at a weakened Rabbitohs outfit as the perfect opportunity to return to the winning circle. Broncos to get the win.

Betting Tip: Broncos Head to Head @ $1.50 (William Hill)

 

Knights v Storm Sun 17 Jul, 2:00PM, Hunter Stadium

The Newcastle Knights will host the Melbourne Storm this Sunday afternoon after both teams produced impressive performances in round 17 before their bye last week. The struggling Knights went down to the Raiders in a tight affair, while a clinical Storm were at their best as they demolished the Broncos.
Jarrod Mullen will make his return from an extended absence with a hamstring injury at the expense of Jack Cogger in a massive boost for the Knights. An injury to Tyler Randell will see Danny Levi come in at hooker while Mickey Paea, Pat Mata’utia and Pauli Pauli have all been included on an extended bench.

 

For the Storm, Felise Kaufusi will start in the front row with Matt White making his club debut off the bench.
The Storm will go into the match as favourites and considering their recent form, the protracted rest in the aftermath of Origin for key players Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk and also the whole Storm 17 after a bye last week should see the Melbourne outfit primed for a big performance. Storm to get the points.

Betting Tip: Storm -18.0 @ $1.91 (Sportsbet)

 

Panthers v Eels Sun 17 Jul, 4:00PM, Pepper Stadium

The Penrith Panthers will host the Parramatta Eels this Sunday night after the NRL’s findings of salary-cap cheating saw the club formally docked 12 competition points and a large fine for their actions. Corey Norman also remains embroiled in a video scandal that will surely be a drain on the Eels’ 17.

 

The Panthers have named Josh Mansour, Matt Moylan and Tyrone Peachey in their 17, pushing Dylan Edwards, Will Smith and Sitaleki Akauola to an extended bench. The Eels will welcome back Michael Jennings and Brad Takairangi in the centres with an injury to Semi Radradra ruling the star winger out for up to six weeks.
Considering the protracted controversy the Eels have endured and the official punishment for salary-cap cheating being handed down, the morale of the playing group must be low at the struggling club. Consequently, the Panthers will go into this match as heavy favourites and with the inclusion of Moylan, Mansour and Peachy, expect Penrith to get the points.

Betting Tip: Panthers -10.0 @ $1.92 (Crownbet)

 

Roosters v Sharks Mon 18 Jul, 7:00PM, Allianz Stadium

The Sydney Roosters will take on the Cronulla Sharks this Monday night after the competition leaders impressed last week against the Panthers in a dominating win without their Origin players. The competition leaders will face a struggling Roosters outfit whose last win came in round 13 this year.
The Sharks have named their full representative compliment of Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird, James Maloney, Paul Gallen and Wade Graham to back up from Origin II, though with the Monday night game, Origin should have little impact on the representative players with a five-day rest.
The Roosters have elected to make only one change as Ryan Matterson will replace Jackson Hastings in the halves. Blake Fergusson and Aiden Guerra were not named to back up from Origin III.
The Sharks will go into this match as heavy favourites and with their full representative outfit rested up after Origin on Wednesday. The Roosters have been struggling against mid-tier teams so expect the Sydney club to have their work cut out for them if they wish to remain competitive. Difficult to tip against the Sharks in this one.

Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 40.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)

 

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Best Bet

Storm -18.0 @ $1.91 (Sportsbet)

Roosters v Sharks Total Match Points Over 40.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)

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