Melbourne Storm v Brisbane Broncos betting tips & winner prediction

Welcome to our preview and free betting tips for a crucial round-23 NRL clash between title favourites Melbourne Storm and the unpredictable Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

This appears something of a mismatch given the Storm’s total dominance against the Brisbane team over the past decade, but the Brisbane team are at least in good form with six wins in their past seven games.

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The Storm have won an astonishing 18 of their past 20 clashes against the Broncos, at one stage stringing together 14 wins on the trot.
Their most recent clash was in round 27 last year when the rampant Storm racked up a half century in a 50-12 victory.

But the Broncos will be breathing fire for this clash, a must-win for them if they are to have any chance of stealing a spot in the all-important top four for the finals. They are only two points behind fourth-placed Warriors with a reasonable run home, though interestingly the Broncos face the Storm again in the final round before the finals.

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Teams news for Storm v Broncos clash

The home team regains back-rower Trent Loiero, who has come of age this season starring at Origin level for Queensland. Fellow back-rower Alec MacDonald (rib) could also make his return. Their halfback star Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) is racing the clock to be back for the finals.

The Broncos regain superstar prop Payne Haas in a huge boost against a team that is still without the giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is suspended for one more match. Brisbane are now at as close to full-strength as they can be.

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Storm v Broncos

Start:	7.50pm AEST, Thursday, August 7
Venue:	AAMI Park, Melboune
Head-to-head odds:	Melbourne ($1.48) v Brisbane ($2.65)
Line betting:	Melbourne -5.5 ($1.90) v Brisbane +5.5 ($1.90)
Series odds:	Melbourne $3; Brisbane $9

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Storm v Broncos

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Saturday night’s game.

Brisbane Broncos +5.5 / Over 46.5

It’s now or never for the Broncos if they want to launch any sort of title challenge, and they have plenty of strike power in their side. The belief seems to be back and the Storm have not been super impressive over the past month of football. This selection is at around $4.50 with online betting sites.

Sharks to win the title at $17

We are going off piste with this selection but believe now is the team to have something small on the Sharks with the finals looming. We believe the market is somewhat skewed with the Storm too short considering Jahrome Hughes may miss all of their campaign. The Sharks loom as our team most likely to surprise. You can find at least $17 with most Aussie bookmakers.

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Storm v Broncos prediction 

This could be the game that changes the outlook for both of these teams. While it’s proven foolhardy to bet against Melbourne too often, we sense they may have some vulnerability for this clash and they have been fortunate to escape with a couple of their wins against lesser-rated opposition than the Broncos. That’s our plan this time anyway! Our final Melbourne-Brisbane prediction? The Broncos by 6 points.