NRL Tigers v Storm betting tips & same game multi – June 17, 2023

Tigers v Storm predictions & best bets

Tigers v Storm NRL R16 betting preview

The Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers will clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this Saturday night as round 16 of the NRL Premiership rolls on. Both sides have undergone drastic changes since they met in round four, when the Storm claimed a 12-point victory at AAMI Park.

The Storm will be without Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, who are in Maroons camp for State of Origin game two, while Christian Welch (suspension) and Eliesa Katoa (eye) are also out of action.

George Jennings has come into the starting side on the wing with Jahrome Hughes in the halves and Bronson Garlick at hooker. Meanwhile, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tariq Sims move into the starting forward pack with Aaron Pene and Tom Eisenhuth coming off the bench.

The Wests Tigers have been forced to make several changes with star hooker Api Koroisau (jaw) and halfback Luke Brooks (hamstring) out injured. Daine Laurie is also out of the squad, while emerging prop Stefano Utoikamanu is set to make his Origin debut for New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium next week.

Brent Naden will return from injury in the centres and pair with Asu Kepaoa, who accommodates for Starford To’a moving into the halves with Brandon Wakeham. Shaun Blore and Jake Simpkin will move into the starting forward pack with John Bateman captaining in the lock role, while Tallyn De Silva is set to make his NRL debut from the interchange bench.

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The Storm have won all three of their NRL matches in Campbelltown, while their last three games against the Tigers have produced a combined scoreline of 116-44. The loss of the Storm’s Origin players will be huge, but the inclusion of Jonah Pezet with halfback Hughes and the big Melbourne forward pack should counter that loss. The visitors should cover the -6.5 line safely and secure another win over the Tigers at $1.91 odds with the top NRL bookmakers.

Pezet first burst onto the scene in 2022 when he was the halfback and man-of-the-match in the inaugural Under 19s State of Origin for New South Wales in a dominant victory at Leichhardt Oval. In just four NRL games, the young halfback has scored one try, set up two further tries and assisted on three line breaks. Look for Pezet to take his opportunity and score a try at any time in the game ($4.80).

The losses of Koroisau and Brooks for the Tigers will greatly weaken their ability to score points, while the Storm will not be at their best without Munster and Grant. The last match at Campbelltown, between the Tigers and Raiders, was made more difficult by a dewy playing surface. If the same conditions present themselves, this should be a low-scoring match that goes below 41.5 total points ($1.90).

Key matchup: Bula v Meaney

Jahream Bula vs Nick Meaney

This will be a brilliant gauge of where Jahream Bula is at in his development. Nick Meaney has become a solid fullback for Melbourne in place of the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, but he doesn’t possess the X-factor that Bula does. If the Tigers young gun continues on the incredible trajectory his career has begun, he could lift his side to an unlikely victory this weekend.

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