Our experts check out teams for NRL round 19 and offer their tips

IT’S getting tight at the top after Michael Carayannis narrowed the gap on leader Nick Walshaw. See who they tipped this week as we hit the final NRL bye round.

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IT’S getting tight at the top after Michael Carayannis narrowed the gap on leader Nick Walshaw.

Follow Phil Rothfield, Dean Ritchie, Carayannis, Matty Logue, Paul Crawley, Barry Toohey, Christian Nicolussi, David Riccio, Walshaw, James Phelps and Paul Kent throughout the season for advice and tips.

Have they got it right for round 19 or are some of them way off the mark?

ROUND 19 FIXTURES: Warriors v Panthers, Raiders v Dragons, Knights v Broncos, Titans v Sharks, Sea Eagles v Tigers, Rabbitohs v Cowboys.

   Nick Walshaw's top tips:

   Score so far: 88 

No brainer: Manly over the toothless Tigers.

Upset: Can't find one, although will probably regret picking the Warriors.

Coin toss: Cowboys, who have learned to win without JT, will to squeak home against Souths.

   Michael Carayannis's top tips:

   Score so far: 87 

No brainer: Cronulla's forward pack to have too much firepower for the Titans.

Upset: Knights. The plucky Newcastle side blew a golden chance to beat Canterbury last week. Brisbane have injuries and players backing up from Origin, so they are vulnerable.

Coin toss: Raiders to beat Dragons. The Raiders have been poor, but could take advantage of a Dragons side on the slide.

   Matt Logue's top tips:

   Score so far: 81 

No brainer: Manly will be far too good for the hapless Tigers. The Sea Eagles will be fired up to avenge last weekend's controversial loss to Penrith.

Upset: The Knights to beat the injury and Origin-impacted Broncos in Newcastle on Saturday night.

Coin toss: Due to the unpredictable play of both sides, the Warriors versus Penrith clash could easily go either way.

   Paul Kent's top tips:

   Score so far: 81 

No brainer: Manly to be too strong.

Upset: Tough to pick the Rabbitohs, but it's done.

Coin toss: Hard to find the winner in New Zealand.

   David Riccio's top tips:

   Score so far: 80 

No brainer: Broncos. Poor old Newcastle.

Upset: Rabbitohs. Good enough to take care of the Thurston-less Cowboys.

Coin toss: Sharks. Origin impacted and record against Titans isn't great.

   Phil Rothfield's top tips:

   Score so far: 77 

No brainer: Warriors must win at home against Panthers.

Upset: Knights to play for 80 minutes and knock off Broncos.

Coin toss: Rabbitohs and Cowboys hard to split in Cairns.

   Dean Ritchie's top tips:

   Score so far: 75 

No brainer: Manly at home on what should be a glorious Sunday afternoon on the northern beaches at Lottoland.

Upset: I can't see one happening this round.

Coin toss: Warriors and Panthers, with Penrith's contingent of New Zealand stars providing a homecoming of sorts.

   Paul Crawley's top tips:

   Score so far: 74 

No brainer: Broncos over Knights.

Upset: Haven't picked one but wouldn't be surprised to see Rabbitohs bounce back against Cowboys.

Coin toss: Warriors versus Panthers could go either way.

   James Phelps's top tips:

   Score so far: 74 

No brainer: The Broncos will continue Newcastle's year from hell.

Upset: Take your pick.

Coin toss: See above.

   Christian Nicolussi's top tips:

   Score so far: 66 

No brainer: Kiwi locals Corey Harawira-Naera and James Fisher-Harris will be pumped to shine for the Panthers in Auckland.

Upset: The mighty Tigers will break northern beaches hearts.

Coin toss: Raiders and Dragons badly need wins for different reasons.

Originally published as Our experts check out teams for NRL round 19 and offer their tips