Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 NRL Final Round Week 2 Match Preview

⏰ 15 September 2023 - 19:50 AEST

🏟 Stadium - AAMI Park (Melbourne)

The Melbourne Storm will host the Sydney Roosters in an entertaining NRL clash on Friday, 15/09/2023 at 7:50pm AEST.

AusBetSites provides betting odds from 39 bookmakers across 24 markets for this matchup. Currently, the Storm are strong 1.25 favourites to defeat the injury-hit Roosters.

Melbourne will look to continue their recent dominance over Sydney, having won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams. The Storm are expected to extend this record as favourites playing at home, with the Roosters missing their entire first-choice backline due to injury.

Despite winning six straight games to make the finals, the Roosters will field a makeshift backline featuring Paul Momirovski, Corey Allan and Jaxson Paulo. While they have toughed out some gritty wins lately, this is a big step up against a full-strength Melbourne lineup.

The Storm have been excellent at AAMI Park this season, winning eight straight. They have also won seven of their last nine finals games in Melbourne.

Craig Bellamy's men have reached the preliminary finals in seven of the last eight seasons and have a strong September record. After an embarrassing 26-0 loss to Brisbane last week, expect a strong response from the Storm, particularly Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Head-to-Head

The Melbourne Storm have dominated the rivalry with the Sydney Roosters in recent years, winning 12 of the last 17 contests between the clubs. Over the past 8 seasons, the Storm hold a decisive edge over the Roosters, recording 12 wins compared to just 5 for the Roosters. The teams have not drawn in their last 17 matchups. The Storm's superior head-to-head record over this period demonstrates their dominance over the Roosters and suggests Melbourne goes into this clash with a psychological edge. However, finals football brings out the best in both teams, so the Roosters will be determined to reverse their recent fortunes against Melbourne on this big stage.

Melbourne Storm Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟥 The Melbourne Storm come into this match having won 4 of their last 5 games, with their only loss coming against the Broncos in round 25. Despite this defeat, Melbourne's recent run of form has been strong, evidenced by their comfortable wins over the Warriors, Titans, Sea Eagles and Eels leading up to the finals. Their one loss shows they are beatable, but the consistency of their wins demonstrates why the Storm are favorites. Craig Bellamy will have Melbourne focused on producing a disciplined and professional performance to get their premiership campaign back on track.

Sydney Roosters Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sydney Roosters head into this preliminary final on a hot streak, having won their last 5 games in a row. Their winning run includes victories over the Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Titans and Panthers. While some of these wins were scrappy, the Roosters have shown tremendous fight and resilience to grind out results with a depleted lineup. Their perfect record over the past month proves they cannot be underestimated, even with a makeshift backline. Trent Robinson's men will be brimming with belief and momentum as they look to carry their finals form into this clash with Melbourne.

📋 Players to watch:

• Cameron Munster has scored tries in 5 of his last 7 matches at AAMI Park
• Will Warbrick has scored in his last 3 games when the Storm are favourites
• Jaxson Paulo has crossed for tries in his 3 most recent matches against Melbourne
• Playing for favourites Melbourne, Eliesa Katoa has scored in his past 4 games

⚡ Match Facts:

• The Storm have won 8 consecutive games at AAMI Park
• Melbourne have won 7 of their last 8 matches against the Roosters
• The Storm have been victorious in 7 of their last 9 finals clashes at AAMI Park
• Over the past 8 seasons, Melbourne have reached the preliminary finals 7 times
• In their last 3 games at AAMI Park, the Storm have scored 37+ points
• In 9 of their previous 10 home fixtures, Melbourne have scored 24+ points
• Across both games vs the Roosters this season, the Storm have scored 28+ points

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💡 Match Prediction:

The Storm have dominated this rivalry recently, winning 12 of the last 17 meetings. They are also in great form at home, winning their last 8 games at AAMI Park. The Roosters are battling a depleted backline and will face an uphill battle against the Storm's star-studded lineup.

Betting Tip: Melbourne Storm to win, Back the Storm -7.5 at 1.91 odds. Melbourne have covered this line in 6 of their last 7 home wins over the Roosters. The Storm also have strong stats around scoring big at home, while the Roosters are missing their key attacking weapons.

Total Points Prediction: Over 36.5 total points at 1.87 odds. This has gone over in 5 of their last 7 clashes. Both teams have scored 28+ points against each other this season. With attacking stars like Munster, Hughes, Tedesco and Keary on the field, expect an open, high-scoring affair.

Overall, Melbourne's class, experience and formidable home record make them deserving favorites. The Storm should be too strong for the undermanned Roosters. Backing Melbourne on the handicap looks the safest option, while their recent high-scoring trends also make the overs appeal.