Penrith Panthers will be looking for a response to their recent dip in form when they go head-to-head with Melbourne Storm in Victoria on Thursday.
AAMI Park has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Panthers over the years but Penrith look capable of heading back to New South Wales with the spoils this week.
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Penrith Panthers -7.5 handicap @ 1.83
Alternative Bet - Over 42.5 total points @ 1.86
Bet Builder - Penrith Panthers to win, Thomas Jenkins & Sualauvi Faalogo anytime tryscorers @ 6.50
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers Prediction
Best Bet: Penrith Panthers -7.5 handicap @ 1.83
While the Panthers might have only won one of their last 10 games against the Storm at AAMI Park, there are reasons to believe they can buck that trend on Thursday.
Casey McLean’s return from a hand injury is a major boost for the visitors, who have already had some joy against the Storm this season.
Earning a 50-10 victory when they hosted the Storm back in April, the Panthers have the attacking game to cut open a Melbourne defence that has not been up to scratch for large parts of the season.
With that in mind and with McLean’s return to the backline, the Panthers are fancied to cover the spread.
Alternative Bet: Over 42.5 total points @ 1.86
Given the Panthers were able to put 50 points past the Storm earlier this season, backing a total of at least 43 points makes sense for this return fixture.
Both sides are brimming with attacking talent and the over 42.5 total points catches the eye for Thursday’s showdown in Victoria.
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers Bet Builder Tip
Penrith Panthers to win
Thomas Jenkins anytime tryscorer
Sualauvi Faalogo anytime tryscorer
Pays 6.50
This Bet Builder continues with the foundation that the Panthers should get the job done and win on Thursday, while backs Thomas Jenkins and Sualauvi Faalogo are both fancied to get on the scoresheet.
Scoring against the Storm earlier this season, Jenkins is backed to add to his remarkable 28 tries for the campaign this week.
Faalogo has scored in each of his last three appearances for Melbourne and is also fancied to continue that run in the anytime tryscorer market.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Melbourne Storm have won nine of their last 10 matches against the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park
The Storm have managed to win their last nine games that have immediately followed a bye week
Penrith are currently on a two-game losing streak
Melbourne have lost four of their last six games in the NRL
The Panthers earned a 50-10 victory when they hosted the Storm earlier this season
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
