08 Sep 2023 / admin

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Final Round Week 1 Match Preview

⏰ 8 September 2023 - 19:50 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)

The Brisbane Broncos will host the Melbourne Storm in a blockbuster NRL finals clash at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night, September 8th. This match is sure to entertain all league fans.

AusBetSites provides odds for the game from 3 different Aussie bookies across 24 markets. Right now the bookies have installed the Broncos as slight 1.57 favourites to win on home soil.

These two powerhouse clubs met just last week in a dead rubber to close out the regular season. Both coaches rested their stars for that game, so we can expect to see full-strength lineups battling it out in this elimination final.

The Storm has had an incredible record of dominance over Brisbane in recent years, winning 24 of the past 26 games between the sides. Melbourne hasn't lost to the Broncos at Suncorp since way back in 2009. Craig Bellamy never forgets the 2006 GF loss and has since dismantled Brisbane whenever they meet.

Interestingly, the Storm were the only top-eight team that Brisbane failed to overcome in the 2022 home and away season. So this shapes as a very stern test for coach Kevin Walters' men.

Both teams will welcome back their big-name players after being rested last week. For the Broncos, that includes the likes of Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas. While for the Storm, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes will aim to work their magic. Dynamic fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is also a huge X-factor off the Melbourne bench.

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Head-to-Head

Over the last 8 years, the head-to-head record between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm is heavily in favor of the Storm. Out of 16 games played between the two teams since 2015, the Storm have won 15 while the Broncos have managed just 1 win, with no draws. The most recent matchup was on August 31, 2022 where the Storm defeated the Broncos 32-22. Prior to that, Melbourne also secured wins over Brisbane on May 11, 2022 (24-16), August 19, 2022 (60-12), June 17, 2022 (32-20), May 27, 2021 (40-12), April 2, 2021 (40-6), July 24, 2020 (46-8), August 2, 2019 (40-4), and March 14, 2019 (22-12). The lone Broncos win came on June 10, 2018 by a score of 20-34. Based on the recent history between the two clubs, the Storm have clearly had the Broncos' number and dominated the rivalry over the past 8 seasons.

Brisbane Broncos Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟥 The West Coast Eagles have hit a strong vein of form in their last five matches, managing four wins and just one loss. After a slow start to the season, the Eagles seem to have found their groove and have built momentum heading into the business end of the year. The team's only blemish in their past five outings was a narrow defeat, with their four wins coming by solid margins. With the finals fast approaching, West Coast will be looking to sustain this run of results and cement their spot in the top eight at season's end. If the Eagles can maintain their current trajectory, they will be a dangerous proposition for any opponent come September.

Melbourne Storm Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟥 Adelaide Crows have also impressed in their previous five games, registering four victories against just one loss. Adelaide have discovered consistency in their performances and are playing an attractive brand of football. Their solitary defeat came by a small margin in a tight contest. The Crows appear to be gelling well as a squad and finding ways to close out matches. Adelaide's four recent wins have been stamped with authority. Their current form guide paints the picture of a determined team on the rise. If the Crows can ride this wave of momentum in the weeks ahead, they could become a finals threat that few opponents will want to face when it matters most.

📋 Players to watch:

Selwyn Cobbo has been a try-scoring machine at home, crossing for 20 tries in 24 games at Suncorp.
Cameron Munster has terrorized the Broncos, scoring a try in each of his last four matches against them.
Reece Walsh is in strong form, scoring a try in his last three games leading into finals.
Ryan Papenhuyzen has made a habit of crossing in playoffs, scoring a try in his past five finals appearances.
Ezra Mam will look to continue his recent streak after scoring a try in his last four outings.

⚡ Match Facts:

The Storm have dominated the recent rivalry, winning 24 of the last 26 games between the teams.
Melbourne's supremacy includes an incredible 14 straight victories against the Broncos.
The Storm are undefeated at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane since way back in 2009.
The Broncos have struggled in finals of late, losing five of their previous six playoff games.
This will be Brisbane's first finals appearance since 2018.
Five of the Broncos' six losses this regular season came by a margin of just 1-12 points.

💡 Match Prediction:

Brisbane Broncos have struggled mightily against the Melbourne Storm in recent years. The Storm have won 15 of the last 16 matches between these clubs dating back to 2015, with the Broncos' lone victory coming in 2018.

The margins of victory in many of these Storm wins have been massive, routinely defeating Brisbane by 30+ points. Just last season, Melbourne smashed the Broncos 60-12 and 40-6 in their two meetings.

Given this immense dominance the Storm have exhibited over the Broncos, combined with Melbourne's overall quality as one of the NRL's premier clubs, the prediction for this upcoming matchup is:

Melbourne Storm to win

Recommended bet: Melbourne -12.5 point handicap

The Storm should comfortably exceed a 13+ point winning margin based on their historical results against Brisbane. Melbourne's powerful offense led by Munster and Hughes should have little trouble slicing through the Broncos' defense.

Other predictions: