Storm vs Eels NRL Round 24 betting tips – August 28, 2021

The Melbourne Storm will be out to create NRL history against the Parramatta Eels in Brisbane on Saturday evening by becoming the first team in Australian rugby league to win 20 consecutive matches.

The Storm’s current winning streak in Queensland is 30 games, which dates back to 2017, so it should surprise nobody that they are priced as a $1.07 favourite with online bookmakers. Ryan Papenhuyzen will start at fullback and Jahrome Hughes is back from a concussion layoff, which means both Nicho Hynes will line up on the interchange bench alongside Harry Grant.

Parramatta have endured a horror run since the competition has been based in Queensland, winning just two of six games and suffering several heavy defeats. To be in sixth place and paying $9 for a win is almost unheard of, but that price is a perfect reflection of the sour sentiment around the Eels at the moment. Maika Sivo looks to be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, which means Blake Ferguson will come back into the side and force Haze Dunster to move over to the left wing.

Storm vs Eels Rd 24 top betting markets

The Melbourne Storm are beginning to venture into Black Caviar levels of favouritism as they approach a 20th consecutive win, and even the -22.5 start feels incredibly disingenuous. Despite losing this matchup back in Round 2, Melbourne have recorded big wins against the Eels in semi-final games and even put 64 points on them back in 2019, so perhaps that line isn’t as crazy as it first appears. Melbourne have been in cruise control for a number of weeks, but with just two games to go before finals, is this the week they start putting the foot down to send a message to the competition? If you believe it is, taking them at that line is going to be the best value return.

Josh Addo-Carr is the $6.50 favourite to score the first try, but there is good value to be had by getting on Reimis Smith at $14 as the Eels have to re-align their left edge defensively. Jahrome Hughes at $3 is also a good shout in the anytime tryscorer market.

Recommended!

Fast Payouts

50% matched deposit up to USD $5,000

Visit BetOnline

It all feels like doom and gloom on the Parramatta Eels season, and despite a win in their most recent game against the Storm, they also have some huge scars from previous battles. The line is long, but they have covered in each of their last five games at Suncorp Stadium, so perhaps there is a universe where the Storm procession isn’t as grand as many think it will be.

Haze Dunster is $2.88 to crash over for a try, and he may well see a few more opportunities on the left edge than he did last week on the right. One at big value who could go off is Marata Niukore, who has shown he can be a good strike player from the right edge at either centre or back row. Take the $8 on offer for Niukore to score at any time; it could be one way Eels’ fans get some joy from this contest.

Key matchup: Brandon Smith vs Nathan Brown

Nathan Brown has been a consistent performer for the Eels for many years, but his form in recent weeks has not been anywhere near his normal standards. He is often a barometer for Parramatta, so his uncharacteristic handling errors of late sum up where they are at. When he is winding up and bending the line in attack, good things tend to happen, but he hasn’t been able to make any inroads recently. While Brandon Smith starts the game at hooker, and he is similar to Brown in that he is a good measure of the Storm’s effort levels as a whole. Smith will play his second stint on the field at lock forward, and these two will no doubt come together at different stages. Whoever can get behind the ‘A’ defenders and markers at the best clip will create a huge advantage for their team.

Storm vs Eels Rd 24 predictions & best bets

Match line: Melbourne Storm -22.5

Melbourne will set the winning-streak record, and they should do enough to cover the -22.5 line despite Parramatta’s recent good work at Suncorp Stadium in that department.

To score 2+ tries: Josh Addo-Carr

With Melbourne poised for a big win, it feels like a night where Josh Addo-Carr gets multiple tries. The Foxx has too much pace and trickery for Blake Ferguson.

Same game multi: 4 legs @ $23

Storm -22.5 with Jahrome Hughes and Reimis Smith both scoring a try and Josh Addo-Carr for a double can get you $23 at Sportsbet.