MELBOURNE STORM VS PARRAMATTA EELS – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER, 7.50PM, AAMI STADIUM
Both teams experienced the highs and lows of NRL last week with the Storm going down in a close one and the Eels setting records against the Broncos.
It’s just the second time the Storm have finished first and failed to win their qualifying final. Melbourne annihilated Parramatta 64-10 at Suncorp Stadium earlier in the year but it should be a much closer contest this Saturday night.
Winning on the road has been something of an issue for the Eels this season and they have won only two of their past eight games as away underdogs.
Stringing together impressive efforts has also been a problem for the Eels and they are only 7-7 on the back of a win in 2019.
How To Watch:
Team news:
Storm: No change for the minor premiers after the narrow loss to the Raiders. Cameron Munster’s return from a shoulder injury went smoothly against Canberra so Brodie Croft is again listed among the reserves. His season appears to be done and dusted unless the Storm suffer an injury in the halves.
Eels: Just the one change to the starting 13 which took Brisbane to the cleaners with Kane Evans back from a one-game suspension. Evans slots in at prop with Daniel Alvaro reverting to the bench and Ray Stone going to the reserves.
Betting Insights:
- The away team has covered the line in each of Melbourne’s last nine matches.
- The favourite has won each of the last nine matches between Melbourne and Parramatta.
- Parramatta has lost three of its last four finals by a margin of 1 to 12 points.
- Eight of Melbourne’s last 10 finals have gone UNDER the total match points line.
- Maika Sivo has scored at least one try in each of his last five appearances with Parramatta as an away underdog.
- Josh Addo-Carr has been the first try-scorer in three of Melbourne’s last seven finals.
- Cameron Munster has scored at least one try in five of Melbourne’s last nine Saturday night matches.
