2019 NRL Round 19 betting tips – Panthers vs Raiders

Penrith Panthers – $2.05 at Sportsbet
Canberra Raiders – $1.76

Sunday’s round-closing clash in the shadow of the Blue Mountains is shaping up as one of the best bouts of the weekend.

The Penrith Panthers have stormed into finals contention with seven wins in a row, the last of which was a 40-18 mauling of St George Illawarra.

SEE ALSO: NRL ROUND 19 BETTING PREVIEW

Another victory at home this week would put them right in the mix for a top-four spot – something that seemed impossible only two months ago.

The Canberra Raiders are also finals-bound after recovering from a mid-season slump to win five of their past six games.

Last week’s 20-12 result over Wests Tigers leaves the Green Machine only two points out of second place, so there is plenty at stake for both teams.

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Penrith Panthers Round 19 team news

– Latest Penrith Panthers odds

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary wanted to take an unchanged 17 into this clash, but those plans went out the window with Viliame Kikau’s suspension for a shoulder charge. Either Jed Cartwright or Liam Martin will step into the squad as a result.

Out: Viliame Kikau (suspension)
In: To be confirmed

Canberra Raiders Round 19 team news

– Latest Canberra Raiders odds

Raiders boss Ricky Stuart has gone for the same squad that did the job against Wests last week. Josh Papalii is named to start at prop, but there is a decent chance the Queensland representative could drop back to the bench again.

Out: None
In: None

Panthers vs Raiders tryscorer betting tips

Brent Naden – We singled out this guy for the Panthers vs Dragons game and he delivered the goods with another brace. Naden now has six tries from as many starts and offers ripper value at $2.88 in the anytime tryscorer market at Sportsbet.

Bailey Simonsson – Jordan Rapana is the big name on the Canberra flank, but Simonsson has proven the greater scoring threat in recent weeks. The 21-year-old winger from Mona Vale is paying $9.50 at Sportsbet to cross for the first try.

Panthers vs Raiders NRL stats and trends

• Penrith lead the competition in field goals (five) and kicking conversion (85%)
• The Panthers are also the worst team for penalties conceded (138) and ineffective tackles (672)
• Canberra have executed 286 dummy half runs this season – more than any other side
• Only Melbourne (217) have conceded fewer points than the Raiders’ 248

Panthers vs Raiders betting predictions

This is a fascinating matchup that features some terrific battles in the back five, especially Maloney vs Wighton at five-eighth and Nicoll-Klokstad vs Edwards at fullback. The Raiders are one of the stingiest teams in the comp, but the Panthers have shown they can win an arm wrestle and are paying good money to edge it at home.

Penrith Panthers by 1-12 points – $3.30 at Sportsbet