NRL Round 8 preview: Storm vs Rabbitohs betting tips

Best bets for Storm vs Rabbitohs

NRL Round 8: Storm v Rabbitohs preview

The Storm take on the Rabbitohs in the final game of a massive ANZAC Day triple-header, with Melbourne looking to maintain their perfect record against Souths at AAMI Park.

The Storm will be out for redemption after last week’s shocker, while the Bunnies are reeling after a brutal 32-0 defeat to the Bulldogs.

Melbourne have the wood over Souths in this matchup, and it’s hard to see that changing, with the top NRL betting sites pricing the hosts as $1.20 favourites.

It’s been a tough week for both clubs, but Melbourne’s home fortress, dominant record against South Sydney, and stacked spine suggest they’ll bounce back hard.

The Rabbitohs have made mass positional changes, and while that stabilises their spine a little, their defence was non-existent last week and they’ll need a lot more than reshuffles to hold out the Storm.

Their record in Melbourne speaks for itself — 19 visits, zero wins — with the top online bookmakers marking them as the longest outsiders of Round 8.

Storm v Rabbitohs Rd 8 team news

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Kane Bradley
3. Grant Anderson
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Bronson Garlick
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Joe Chan
17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Nick Meaney returns from injury for the Storm, pushing Grant Anderson into the centres. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is among the reserves and could be a late inclusion.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
3. Jack Wighton
4. Campbell Graham
5. Isaiah Tass
6. Cody Walker
7. Jayden Sullivan
8. Sean Keppie
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Euan Aitken
13. Jai Arrow
14. Jye Gray
15. Siliva Havili
16. Davvy Moale
17. Tallis Duncan

Latrell Mitchell shifts to fullback for Souths, pushing Jye Gray to the bench. Jayden Sullivan returns at halfback, with Cody Walker stepping back to five-eighth. Jai Arrow starts at lock with Lachlan Hubner out.

Storm v Rabbitohs NRL Rd 8 betting predictions

Melbourne have covered 14.5 easily in their last three home games and will be fired up after a rare blowout loss. Souths have lost four of their last five away games by 15 or more, and the Storm have never lost to them in Melbourne. Expect a professional performance from the hosts as they cover the line at $1.90 with BetOnline

Grant Anderson has scored in four straight games at AAMI Park, and with Meaney taking pressure off on the other edge, the Rabbitohs’ leaky right side is vulnerable again. He’s a strong value play in a Storm side likely to post over 30. Take the $2.25 anytime tryscorer odds on offer with BetOnline.

Melbourne’s home games have averaged 52 points this year, and the Rabbitohs have been conceding points for fun. Add in some bounce-back firepower from both sides and this should clear the total late in the second half. Take the over 48 points at $1.90 with BetOnline.

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