Rugby League – Rabbits unlikely to rediscover form against Storm

NRL analyst Chris Thomas (@SolidPunts) is heading Down Under on Friday morning in search of value as South Sydney Rabbitohs take on Melbourne Storm. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm | Friday 3rd August 2018, 10:55

In a top-of-the-table clash, Russell Crowe’s South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Melbourne Storm as first meets second at ANZ Stadium.

While the Storm come into this one on an eight-match unbeaten run, the Bunnies are hoping to rediscover form after a couple of disappointing performances in recent weeks.

It’s been a good year for the Rabbits thus far, and few would have predicted them to be contesting for the title in coach Anthony Seabold’s first year in charge. Souths’ success this season has been due in no small part to their devastating left edge, which has combined for more tries than any other edge, of any other attack in the league this season.

But the Bunnies have been a bit out of sorts in recent rounds after their talismanic captain Greg Ingis went down injured. Souths have tried to fix this problem by deploying Hymel Hunt in his role but as yet it’s not worked and it’s a wonder Braidon Burns or Adam Douehi haven’t had the opportunity to stake their claim in the side.

Strong Storm to sweep into Sydney

Meanwhile, the Storm have overcome a rough start to the season and really picked up since the State of Origin series. After losing their virtuoso playmaker in Cooper Cronk to the Roosters, the Melbourne outfit now finally look comfortable in their new-look attack.

Coach Craig Bellamy has led his side to victories over Souths on fiyr of the last five occasions and at a standout 5/6 (BetVictor) can certainly be backed to make that five from six. As ever though I think we can do better by turning our attentions to the Winning Margin market.

The Storm have won by the 11-20 point margin in six of their 14 victories in NRL this season while Souths have lost by this margin in two of their five defeats. At 4/1 (Ladbrokes) the Storm look good value to put away the Bunnies with relative ease by 11-20 points.

Best Bets

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm – Melbourne Storm to win by 11-20 points (4/1 Ladbrokes)