We have another shortened round of NRL ahead of us, with the third and final State of Origin match coming up next week.
The Wests Tigers will be hoping to regain some pride when they face a red-hot Cronulla Sharks side before the St. George Illawarra Dragons look to avoid a third straight loss on Friday against the Canberra Raiders.
On Saturday, an Origin-affected Parramatta Eels side will host the New Zealand Warriors, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to face off later that night.
The weekend's slate of games will then conclude with the second instalment of the new Queensland derby between the Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins.
Below are The Sporting News’ betting predictions and best bets for Round 19.
Odds courtesy of BlueBet.
EXCLUSIVE: Jack Bird, Tyrell Sloan on what's happening at the Dragons
Wests Tigers vs. Cronulla Sharks prediction, tip, best bet
All signs are pointing to a big Sharks win against the struggling Tigers on Thursday night, but there is limited value on offer from a betting perspective.
Cronulla are priced at $1.07 to claim victory, and just $1.31 to win by a margin of 13 points or more.
Instead of backing a blowout, we're predicting that the majority of points will be scored in the second half.
The Sharks piled on five tries in the second stanza last week, while the Tigers allowed six Cowboys tries against them as they faded away late.
BEST BET: Highest scoring half - Second half ($1.66 with BlueBet)
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Canberra Raiders prediction, tip, best bet
There are plenty of things to iron out at the Dragons at the moment, and one key concern is their left-edge defence.
The Saints have conceded a disproportionate 55 per cent of tries down the left side and could be exposed again against the Raiders this week.
Matthew Timoko and Jordan Rapana have scored a solid six tries each this season and will be the biggest threats against a vulnerable Dragons defence.
BEST BET: Matthew Timoko or Jordan Rapana ATS ($2.50 or $1.83 with BlueBet)
Parramatta Eels vs. New Zealand Warriors prediction, tip, best bet
It's a real toss-up on Saturday night between the Eels and Warriors in what is likely to be a closely-fought affair.
Parramatta have the home-ground advantage but will be without three key players due to Origin selection - Clinton Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
J'Maine Hopgood has also made the Maroons' extended squad but has been named to start at lock for the Eels.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have no Origin-related outs.
Player combinations are key in rugby league, and even though New Zealand suffered a disappointing loss last week, they are a fairly reliable side who should be able to produce a win away from home.
BEST BET: New Zealand Warriors -3.5 ($1.85 with BlueBet)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prediction, tip, best bet
A significant number of injuries and Origin absentees leave us with a match that is difficult to predict.
Both sides are full of young players, so Saturday night will represent an opportunity for them to make themselves known.
Having said that, more experienced players will need to step up, so we're predicting Matt Burton to find the line as he leads the Bulldogs out as captain.
His Origin non-selection should provide him with some extra fire, too.
BEST BET: Matt Burton ATS ($3.50 with BlueBet)
Gold Coast Titans vs. Dolphins prediction, tip, best bet
The Dolphins are on a four-game losing streak and will be desperate to snap it as they search for finals footy.
Wayne Bennett's side got the better of the Titans when the new Queensland rivals faced off earlier this season, and they could muster up a similar result on this occasion.
The absence of Felise Kaufusi (concussion) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Origin) are blows, but their forward pack is relatively intact and could do damage against the Gold Coast.
The Titans will be without four representative players, including big men David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
We're expecting this to be a physical battle, so the Dolphins may just have the edge.
BEST BET: Dolphins to win ($2.15 with BlueBet)
