Storm vs Bulldogs NRL Rd 4 betting tips – Sunday, April 3

The Melbourne Storm come into their Round 4 clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this Sunday as the shortest-priced favourite of the year at $1.16 in the head-to-head market.

Considering Melbourne’s less than blockbusting start to the year, it is a show of disrespect from both the online bookmakers and the punters towards the Bulldogs, who have struggled to score points so far this season.

Melbourne could have easily lost in Round 1 and they limped across the line in Round 2. Parramatta were good enough to get the win and give the Storm the reality-check the perhaps need, so will that mean they take a big step back towards the team they are expected to be?

Against lesser opposition it is a great chance to make the best of a third consecutive home game, especially with the return of Harry Grant to the starting side.

It means a return to having to deal with both Grant and Brandon Smith in the middle of the field for 80 minutes which will put extreme pressure on the Bulldogs middle-third in defence.

Xavier Coates is the $6.50 favourite with BetOnline to score the first try, but perhaps it might be wise to look towards the left side. Canterbury have had issues down their right defensive edge, so perhaps Justin Olam at $12 presents a better chance at a decent return.

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When Canterbury hired Trent Barrett to coach them it was based on a reputation that he would fix their attack. They averaged 14 points per game in 2021, a season where attacking football was on steroids, and in the 2022 season so far it’s fallen back to nine points per game. Despite all the new faces, it seems as though Barrett still can’t live up to that reputation.

When you have Josh Addo-Carr at $14 to score the first try, you know you’re getting a lot wrong.

Their forward pack has been decent, but predictably, the lack of star power outside of Burton in the playmaking spine is hurting them.

Barrett needs wins to save his career, but once coaches are in that position they usually change the halves combination to look for a quick fix, and it’s hurting them currently.

While their attack has been putrid, their defence has shown great improvement. As a result, it feels like a good time to take them at the +14.5 line against a Storm side still finding their niche as a football team.

Even though it is a Sunday afternoon, this feels like a game that will fall under the 40.5 points line.

Burton at $5 presents good value in the anytime tryscorer market for the visitors. He is yet to score for his new club and if they are going to be any chance of an upset, he will be leading the way with his terrific running game.

Storm vs Bulldogs betting predictions

The Storm should win, but we don’t think the margin will go over a dozen points. Canterbury will cover the +14.5 and the 40.5 points line will not be breached.

Storm vs Bulldogs NRL same-game multi tips

Storm 1-12 with Justin Olam, Xavier Coates and Matt Burton to all score tries at any time of the game pays a whopping $46.54.

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