Storm v Raiders betting tips & best bets – NRL Rd 18 Preview

The feature match of Sunday afternoon NRL action will be down in Melbourne when the Storm host the Canberra Raiders.

The game is shaping up as season-defining for the Raiders who desperately need a win to keep their NRL finals hopes alive, while Melbourne have hit a wall in their quest for a premiership.

Melbourne were blown off the park in their last start against Cronulla and they’ve been treading water for a few weeks. Some late tries against Manly papered over what was a flogging and their bench rotation lacks the reliability and punch that is usually has in abundance. Adding to their indifferent form is the fact Brandon Smith will be missing for the next three games after he was found guilty of abusing a match official. While Smith hasn’t enjoyed the best season, his versatility is a key factor in what Melbourne do and his absence makes them a lesser unit.

Seeing the Storm at the $1.22 price with bookmakers is a little mystifying but the bookies are factoring in the home ground advantage. Even accounting for that their form should see them nowhere close to that price so perhaps you’ll see punters avoid them.

For some better value, why not roll Ryan Papenhuyzen and Justin Olam into a two-leg tryscoring multi? $5 is a good price and their skinny backline means the odds are those two will see a bulk of the good ball.

Cameron Munster’s inclusion following a covid infection gives Melbourne enough scoring power on paper to get the win at the 13 plus margin, which is paying $2.05.

Canberra have hit the stage of their season where if they fail to win the phrase ‘mathematically possible’ starts to enter the vernacular. They’d be four points out of eighth spot, but a win would have them join the gridlock with the Sea Eagles, Dragons and Roosters. The controversial finish against the Dragons will hurt even more in a game like this if they go on to lose, so will we see a desperate team rise to the occasion against a vulnerable enemy?

Being north of $4 is absolutely crazy and a +11.5 handicap is at worst a few points too many.
Their last three away games that they’ve lost have all been by six or fewer points, so perhaps taking the Raiders at the line is the way to go if you’re putting together a same game multi.

Key Match Up: It can’t be anything other than Cameron Munster and Jack Wighton. Two outstanding runners of the football and wholehearted performers to a fault, they hold the destiny of their team in their hands.

Storm v Raiders betting tips and best bets

Our top Storm v Raiders betting tips are as follows:

Jack Wighton anytime try-scorer

A good option might be to get Jack Wighton at $4.80 to score at any time as well as Hudson Young at $5. Young has had a knack of scoring winning tries in 2022 but at worst he is a strike weapon on the left-edge. Melbourne have had some issues on their right-edge with Marion Seve in the centres, so both the left-edge guns for Canberra present good value.

Storm v Raiders prediction

Canberra sneak in under the -11.5 line but walk away with a loss that compounds some of the other close losses they’ve had in 2022.

Storm v Raiders same game multi tip

Canberra -11.5 with Jack Wighton, Justin Olam and Ryan Papenhuyzen all scoring pays a staggering $48.50 with Ladbrokes.

More sports betting tips