Storm vs Panthers Preliminary Finals Tips, Prediction & Preview

Andrew Hendrie: Sep 20, 2021

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers free NRL preliminary finals betting tips, predictions and preview.

Storm vs Panthers Tips, Preview & Predictions

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers free NRL preliminary finals betting tips, predictions and preview will be available in the days leading up to the game. Below is our previous tips and preview.

Storm vs Panthers Tips

Best Storm win & under 46.5 points odds with Sportsbet

Storm are on a 15-match winning streak
Storm have won their last 11 matches at Suncorp
Only two of the last 12 meetings between the teams have seen over 40 points
Panthers have seen under 46.5 points in six of their last seven matches
Storm have seen under 46.5 points in two of their last three matches
Storm have won 13 of their last 15 games by 13+ margins

Storm vs Panthers Same Game Multi Tips

Best Same Game Multi Odds with Sportsbet

Reimis Smith has scored a try in three of his last four matches
Charlie Staines has scored three tries in his last two matches

Storm vs Panthers Match Details

🇦🇺 Competition: NRL
🗓 Date: Sunday August 1
⏰ Time: 4.05pm AEST
🏟 Stadium: Suncorp Stadium

Storm vs Panthers Head to Head (last five matches)

25/3/21: Panthers 12-10 Storm
25/10/20: Panthers 20-26 Storm
19/6/20: Panthers 21-14 Storm
30/3/19: Panthers 2-32 Storm
31/8/18: Storm 16-22 Panthers

Storm vs Panthers Preview and Prediction

The second Grand Final rematch of the season takes place at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night as the Storm and Panthers renew their growing rivalry.

Melbourne won when it mattered most in last year’s showpiece, but the Panthers got some revenge earlier this season, winning a tight game 12-10 back in March.

However, the Panthers have been crippled by injuries over the last month or so and had a tough Origin period that involved plenty of their stars.

Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo and Tyrone May are all out of this game, while Jarome Luai was also forced to spend some time on the sidelines, only returning for last week’s unconvincing 18-12 win over the Broncos.

It’s safe to say Penrith are nowhere near their best shape right now and that’s not exactly ideal when coming up against the rampant reigning premiers.

Melbourne were ever so slightly brought back down to earth last week when they were given a scare by the Cowboys, but they still ran out 20-16 winners to notch up their 15th straight win.

The Storm have the luxury of bringing Origin stars Cameron Munster, Dale Finucane and Felise Kaufusi back into the team for this match – and you know Craig Bellamy would have given his side a spray after their lacklustre performance against North Queensland.

As a result, Melbourne will be more than up for this game and will be keen to make a statement ahead of the upcoming finals series – as well as go a long way in wrapping up the minor premiership with a win here.

VERDICT:

As expected, the Panthers are big underdogs with all their outs, meaning there’s not much value going around.

Traditionally, these two sides have played out low-scoring games (only two of the last 12 have surpassed 40 points), so we’ll be taking the Storm in a contest with minimal points (Best Storm win & under 46.5 points odds $1.91 with Sportsbet).

Storm vs Panthers Teams

Cameron Munster, Dale Finucane and Felise Kaufusi are all back for the Storm, but Harry Grant might need another week to get to 100 per cent fitness.

Robert Jennings comes onto the wing for Brian To’o for the Panthers, while Brent Naden comes into the centres with Matt Burton moving to the halves.

Storm team: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aaron Pene 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19. Harry Grant 20. Jordan Grant 21. Isaac Lumelume

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Brent Naden 5. Robert Jennings 6. Matt Burton 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Liam Martin 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Izack Tago 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. J’maine Hopgood 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Jaeman Salmon 20. Lindsay Smith 22. Kurt Falls