NRL Round 20 Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm Preview

The Melbourne Storm's performance has definitely "slipped" in recent weeks as they have suffered a host of losses, four of their last five to be exact. It has seen them brought back to the pack and level with the Bulldogs in first place. In a matter of weeks, the Storm are beginning to look vulnerable. Without Slater they seemed desperate at times and lacking potency once the ball is shifted from Cooper Cronk to the outside ball carrier (where Slater would generally pop up). Throw in a few more injuries sustained to players in the loss to the Cowboys. But they certainly have a "good" opponent to come up against to play themselves back into some form. Parramatta's performances seem to be sliding with each match they play. This is a team game and the team at the Eels have a host of problems that will not disappear overnight. Their season is definitely over and they should be focusing on building for next season but we have seen a reluctance from coach Stephen Kearny to give younger players a go in place of under performing players. The Eels players who are out there should be worrying not only about playing for pride and contracts, but also in honor of their retiring club legends, Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt. The Eels should be wary in this game as a team with the class of the Storm can get their season back on track in an instance. Maybe it is a post-SOO lul in proceedings for their stars or maybe the foot has been taken off the gas to regroup and build as much momentum as possible as they get closer to the finals. Only time will tell and the rest of the teams vying for the Top 8 will watch this game with intrigue. Maybe that could only be up until halftime if the Eels show up with the attitude that they have displayed for majority of the season.

Parramatta Eels

Unfortunately the Eels have lost 5/8 Luke Kelly due to injury and this is a blow to one of the young players who has been giving it his all each week. Ben Roberts was called into the side late for Matt Keating (also ruled out for the season) against the Dogs and you would think that he would be named at 5/8 to replace Kelly. He has played their for a fair amount of this season and is seemingly the best fit but Kearny has gone with back rower Joseph Paulo. Very surprising! As Ben Smith returns from injury he is promoted to the starting side and Matthew Ryan moves back to the extended bench. As to who will drop off, no one can be sure, but it will be posted on my twitter feed as soon as the information comes to hand. Nathan Smith who replaced Keating in the starting team was named to start at hooker and will probably play a full game. Fuifui Moimoi has been named but after he was knocked out in the first play of the game against the Dogs, he will certainly find it difficult to take the field under the NRL's new concussion rules. Perhaps that is where a player on the extended bench could get a start. Justin Poore is also named on the bench for Taniela Lasalo. A lot of forward replacements but you have to wonder if Nathan Hindmarsh will be taken off the field again in this game (see Power Rankings)...you only have to look where and when the tries are scored against them. No wonder Eels fans are desperate for answers.

Melbourne Storm

The team that was named last week for the Storm and the team that took the field were completely different in a number of ways. But for the sake of having people run mad, I will only focus on the changes heading into this weeks game. Sisa Waqa is in for the injured winger Matt Duffie and has some big boots to fill as Duffie has been fantastic at times this season. Rory Kostjasyn is named to partner Cooper Cronk in the halves and Maurice Blair drops out of the team altogether. Their forwards remain the same but the bench is reduced interestingly to just 4, all of whom played last week. Their forwards will be where the game is won and you can ensure that Cameron Smith will have them rolling forward over the advantage line and then it will be over to Cooper Cronk to come out of his post-SOO slumber to put them in a winning position. I don't think it will happen, but if the Storm lose this game it would be a major shot to their pride. As the top side in the competition, they shouldn't. Despite all of the injuries to players in their squad, they have a great quality of players across the board.

Recent History

Overall = Eels 10 - Storm 15

Last 5 games = Eels 2 - Storm 3

At Parramatta Stadium = Eels 6 - Storm 6

Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Eels $4.50 Storm $1.22
Centrebet = Eels $5.15 Storm $1.18
Sportsbet = Eels $4.75 Storm $1.20
Betfair = Eels $5.20 Storm $1.23

Verdict

It would take a very brave person to back the Eels in this clash. While the Storm are not in the best vein of form at the moment, they are certainly going to aim to try and bounce back in this clash. They have the quality of player to get the win over Eels and whilst they probably will be made to work for their win, the Storm will want a dominating performance to gain back some of their early season momentum. But in the game of Rugby League, nothing comes easily. All signs point to the Storm in this one.


Suggested Bet
Storm 13+ @ $1.90


Blow out? = Storm 19+ @ $2.60 - If you think that this game is going to get ugly, then perhaps this would be the best option. It is only another converted try from the 13+ option with a tad more value.


Tri bet = Storm Over 6.5 points @ $1.45 - I cannot believe that this option is offering so much value. If you cannot decide on the option to take then why not get the Storm to win by just over a converted try. A good thought for a multi.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips