Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
11th July 1035hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Melbourne Storm -2 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 21/20 odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July
Both the Raiders and the Storm delivered wins last weekend and this should be a great scrap between the two of them.
The Storm have won one more game than the Raiders have done this season and both are occupying spots within the top six.
A win for the Storm would strengthen their top four finish claims, while this remains a chance for the Raiders to pull level on points with the Melbourne side.
Table of Contents
Canberra Raiders Preview – Can Raiders defy underdog status?
It was a 22-16 win over the Dragons that the Canberra Raiders edged out last weekend.
Was it a convincing win however? No. The Raiders had been 22-0 ahead at one point and nearly let it all slip.
But the win moves them on to a W5 L3 record for the season. However, their recent momentum hasn’t been all that great.
It has been just the two wins in their last five fixtures played, so that win over the Dragons, who have had bit struggles this season, was welcome for Canberra.
The Canberra Raiders are the lowest scoring side in the top eleven of the current ladder.
But they have managed to hold things together very well in defence and that is where their strengths have been.
The Raiders have conceded an average of 14 points per game. But the Storm do still actually beat them out in that stat narrowly.
Canberra have produced 25 points fewer than what the Storm have managed this season.
When the two met up in round three of action this season it was the Raiders who produced a 22-6 win there.
But it was really after that that they lost their way a little bit and they will know that they have to be on their game for the full 80 in this one to get a return.
Melbourne Storm Preview – Storm still rolling on
A stunning 27-25 win over the Sydney Roosters was what the Melbourne Storm produced last weekend.
That is perhaps, the epic game of the 2020 Premiership season after a crazy final five minutes.
The thrilling win moved the Storm onto a W6 L2 record for this season and even though they were toppled by the Raiders earlier in this campaign, they are still favourites in the match outright at 3/4* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July).
Their performance against the Raiders in round three was just off, racking up uncharacteristic errors and struggling to complete sets.
The Storm have been very good at the back this season and have a big attacking threat from fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The averaging winning margin for the Storm this season has been by 15 points.
We are struggling to make it anywhere near that for Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm betting.
In fact the handicap line on a Melbourne Storm -2 is at 21/20* (odds taken 22:53 GMT Thursday, 9th July) which is not without its appeal.
Melbourne are missing their top try scorer Suliasi Vunivalu who is being replaced by Marion Seve.
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Melbourne Storm may get key playmaker Cameron Munster back into action who missed that thrilling win over the Roosters in round eight.
The Storm are on a three-match losing streak now against the Raiders so will no doubt have some revenge in mind.
Before that slump in the head to head the Storm have won seven of the previous eight meetings.
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm Betting Advice
Canberra do have head to head form going against the Storm and have home advantage in this one.
However, the Storm actually have a good record at the GIO Stadium having won 67% of their matches there since 1998.
On paper the Storm are the better of the two and they weren’t at their usual best when they faced the Raiders in round 3.
Key Facts – Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm Betting Tip
- Canberra Raiders have just 2 wins in their last 5 games
- Canberra Raiders are on a 3 match winning streak against the Storm
- Melbourne Storm have won 4 of their last 5 league fixtures
Sure, some of that could have been down to the positive approach of the Raiders, but we fancy the Storm to get a revenge win over them.
The difference is that Melbourne have been better in attack and if they do get Munster back in the side, then that would bolster their chances even further.
We expect a tight battle, but because the Raiders did not win convincingly against a poor Dragons side last weekend while the Storm produced a high-quality display to beat the Roosters, we are going with Melbourne.
The best betting odds for Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
Canberra Raiders to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Melbourne Storm to win: 3/4at Bet365
