Storm v Panthers NRL betting tips & best odds | Friday, March 8

Storm v Panthers NRL best bets

Storm v Panthers NRL match preview

Friday night’s NRL slate will wrap up in Melbourne with the Storm hosting the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park.

The Panthers come into this match having lost the 2023 World Club Challenge to St Helens in England. Meanwhile, the Storm will be looking to continue their first-round winning streak that extends over two decades.

Harry Grant will begin his journey as the captain of the Melbourne Storm, while Ryan Papenhuyzen makes his return having played just three games last season before suffering a compound fracture in his ankle. Cameron Munster has been named to start in the halves despite being under an injury cloud, and Joe Chan will start in the second row in front of Jack Howarth and Kane Bradley.

Taylan May (ACL) and Jerome Luai (shoulder) missed the 2023 NRL Grand Final through injury, but both are back in the side for round one. Luke Garner has been named to start in the second row, Luke Sommerton will line up at dummy half in place of the suspended Mitch Kenny, and Liam Henry is set to help fill the void left by Spencer Leniu on the interchange bench.

Storm v Panthers NRL betting predictions

The Penrith Panthers enter this match having won 23 of their last 24 interstate matches as favourites. However, the Storm have not lost in round one since 2001 and the Panthers have won just one of eight matches in Melbourne. With their big guns in the side, +150 is an exceptional value bet for the Storm to continue their first-round winning streak.

Ryan Papenhuyzen made his return via the trials early this year and appeared to be moving with freedom. In previous returns from injury, the Melbourne Storm fullback has shown an ability to hit the ground running and attack from his first possession. If Papenhuyzen can replicate this form on Friday night, +230 is great value for him to score a try at any time.

These two clubs pride themselves on regularly contending for NRL premierships, which can only be done with a foundation built on strong defence. Expect this to be a low-scoring match with less than 35.5 total points, which pays -111.11 with the top NRL bookmakers.

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