Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm
20th August 10:50hrs
Rugby League – Australia – NRL
Pick Storm +4 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Evens odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August
The Parramatta Eels suffered a huge upset in round 14 of Premiership competition last weekend as they fell to the Dragons.
That left them in third place, two points adrift of second-placed Melbourne Storm.
So Thursday’s opening match in round fifteen of the Premiership should be a cracker as two of the best in this business showdown for the points.
Table of Contents
Parramatta Eels Preview – Can the Eels bounce back?
There have been some cracks creeping into the game of the Parramatta Eels lately.
They are W3 L1 in their last four games, but their last two wins haven’t been easy ones.
After squeaking past the Sharks by a couple of points in the previous match, the Eels were upsets last weekend against The Dragons, a loss which few would have seen coming.
So now that builds extra pressure on them for this game, as another loss would leave them four points adrift of Melbourne, who are running hot right now.
The Eels are W11 L3 for their overall campaign, so can’t really be knocked.
Their defensive record has only been bettered by one team in this campaign, but that team happens to be the Storm.
The Eels are W6-L1 from their designated home fixtures this season.
How badly they need a win here against a team who simply hammered them in the last campaign.
The Eels lost 64-10 during the regular season against the Storm and then were blanked 32-0 in their finals match against them.
The average winning margin by the Eels during this campaign is 13 points, which seems a big stretch for this game.
None of their last three wins in the league have been by more than a 10-point margin.
An Eels -4 handicap is at even money* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August)
They are the lowest-scoring side in the top four currently and they have only managed more than 20 points in one of their last five games played.
Parramatta are going to need everything to go right for them on Thursday to end with a positive result.
Melbourne Storm Preview – Can the Storm roll over the Eels again?
It was two convincing wins that the Storm took over Parramatta Eels last season and they look in the mood to do some more damage.
Melbourne Storm moved on to a five-match winning streak last weekend as they tore the Roosters apart in a 24-6 victory.
It’s worth noting at this point that the Roosters are fourth in the ladder and were the top-scoring side until the last couple of rounds.
The Storm are just scoring for fun the moment and have tallied at least 24 points in each of their last five played.
Three times in their last five games the Melbourne Storm have produced at least 40 points in a match.
That is where they could have the edge because they averaged 26 points per game this season.
That’s in comparison to the 21 per game on average by the Eells.
Back in the Handicap market we really can’t ignore the value of even money that is sat on a Storm +4* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).
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Melbourne Storm are on a four-match winning streak against Parramatta, winning eight of the last ten.
It is interesting that they have kept the Eels to 10 points or less in four of their last five victories over them.
They are flying at the moment and are currently at W12 L2 for the season and from their away fixtures are W6 L1.
The averaging winning margin by the Storm this season is 19 points.
They won’t care if this one comes by just one point. It’s a huge clash.
Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm Betting Advice
What a clash this should be. The title ambitions of the Eels would certainly take a knock if they were to lose and fall to back to back losses.
They really don’t have the current head to head form going against the Storm to really warrant backing with tremendous confidence.
Yes they are tough to beat at home, but they are not producing the scoring threat that the Storm currently are.
Key Facts – Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm Betting Tip
- Parramatta Eels suffered a shock lost against the Dragons last weekend
- Parramatta Eels have lost their last four against the Storm
- Melbourne Storm are on a 5 match winning streak
We just have to back the Storm to find their winning edge over the Eels once again.
Any type of positive handicap on Melbourne has to be value in our eyes for this fixture, but even the 13/10 odds on them in the outright isn’t bad* (odds taken 04:35 GMT, Tuesday, 18th August).
The best betting odds for Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm
Parramatta Eels to win: 4/6 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Melbourne Storm to win: 13/10 at Bet365
