The Melbourne Storm have seemingly gotten through their mid-season struggles and are back in top form as they try to clinch a top four positioning in Friday’s round 24 rugby betting picks.
NRL Performance Recap
At 15-7 Melbourne is a game ahead of Parramatta for the fourth spot on the ladder, but they are also just two points back from the Cowboys and Sharks.
The Sydney Roosters control their own destiny at 13-9 and in sixth place on the ladder, but the Rabbitohs, Broncos, and Raiders are all within a game, so nobody has sealed their fate just yet.
Sydney seems like they could finish as high as fifth – or be out of the finals altogether, depending on how the last two matches of 2022 play out.
Teams Previous Scoreboard
The Storm have been hit hard by injuries this season and seem like a solid play heading into Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters betting analysis and prediction. Melbourne dominated the Broncos 60-12 last weekend for their fourth straight weekend.
Top-eight Team
Brisbane is a top-eight team, so Melbourne getting such a convincing victory in last week’s rugby schedule was impressive.
The victory came a week after the Storm shut out Penrith 16-0, giving the Panthers just their third loss of the season and handing them their first shutout in four years.
The Roosters know a thing or two about dominating wins, throttling the last place Wests Tigers last weekend 72-6.
Sydney Momentum
That victory definitely gives Sydney momentum coming into this weekend’s rugby odds, especially as they’ve rattled off six wins in a row.
While both Melbourne and Sydney had their offenses working last week, their first matchup of the season was lower scoring as the Storm captured a 26-18 victory. That was the fifth straight win in the head-to-head series for Melbourne.
Storm vs. Roosters Betting Analysis
The Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters betting analysis and prediction has the Storm as -4.5 favorites for the weekend.
The Storm have looked good lately with big wins over Penrith and Brisbane, but the Roosters are dialed in lately as well.
The Storm picked up a 26-18 win over Sydney earlier this season, but their last meeting in 2021 was a dominant 46-0 victory by Melbourne on July 1st at Newcastle. The meeting last April in Melbourne was a lot closer, but the Storm still picked up a 20-4 victory.
Friday’s total is 43.5, and based on last weekend’s game where these two clubs averaged 66 points, that looks like a solid over for betting on rugby.
Then again, Melbourne’s defense is in top form as well, allowing just six points per game over their last two.
Melbourne in a Sandwich Match
It wouldn’t have been a shock for Melbourne to suffer a loss last week coming off their big shutout victory over Penrith.
You have to give credit where credit is due though, and Craig Bellamy had his squad prepared in the 60-12 win over Brisbane.
Instead of suffering a letdown, Melbourne instead has momentum – but they could also be looking ahead to the regular season finale against Parramatta, which looks like it will determine who is in and who is out for a top four spot.
The Storm has looked good in their last two games, and that’s even without Felise Kaufusi, who was absent after the death of his father.
His return, coupled with Cameron Munster’s impressive play since moving to fullback, gives the home team great value in the Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters betting analysis and prediction.
All on the Line for Sydney
The Wests Tigers are the worst team in the NRL, but at the very least last week’s dominant 66-point win by Sydney gave them an advantage in points differential.
That could end up being huge because there’s basically a log jam between the fifth seed and the ninth seed, so tie-breaking could be important for the Roosters.
Sydney closes out their season vs. the Rabbitohs next week, a team who they are currently tied with at 28 points.
NRL Injury Report
Kaufusi’s return is a boost for the Storm, but in doing so it sends Tui Kamikamica to the bench. Xavier Coates did get a head knock last week against Brisbane so his condition during the week will be monitored. Marion Seve is still on the mend from a hamstring injury as well.
Lindsay Collins and Siosiua Taukeiaho are back for the Roosters but will reserve this weekend. Either way, getting added depth is crucial this late in the 2022 campaign.
Storm vs. Roosters Betting Preview
Both teams were impressive last weekend, but Melbourne’s victory came against some tougher competition.
The -4.5 spread doesn’t seem like enough this week for the red hot Storm, but then again, it’s also hard to overlook Sydney’s six-game winning streak as well.
Storm vs. Roosters Betting Prediction
Both teams need this victory for seeding purposes and the Storm being at home and having a five-game win streak in the head-to-head series gives them the edge in this spot. Take Melbourne -4.5
NRL Pick: Storm -4.5
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