Storm v Sea Eagles betting tips & winner prediction

The Melbourne Storm-Manly match looms as the best of the round, even if the bookies see it as a lopsided affair, with the Storm riding a six-match winning streak and the Sea Eagles struggling to find consistency.

Melbourne have won their past 10 matches at AAMI Park but will face a desperate side in Manly, who are sitting in seventh place and have a handful of teams ready to leapfrog them in the top eight with the finals looming.

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The second-placed Storm have built much of their success this season around a sturdy defence, the second-stingiest in the league on points against. And while Manly racked up 24 points against them when they met earlier this season, the bad news for Sea Eagles supporters is that the Storm ran in 48!

Melbourne are red-hot favourites to win the NRL title this season, and it’s not hard to see why as their team returns to full strength following the disruptive State of Origin period. It must be daunting for teams to face up against the Storm’s powerful starting pack and then look to the bench to see giants Tui Kamikamica and Nelson Asofa-Solomona just waiting in the wings to beat you up..

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Teams news for Storm v Sea Eagles clash

The Storm are still without fleet-footed fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf) but regain ace pivot Cameron Munster and powerful winger Xavier Coates after Origin duties.

Manly have stuck with the team that defeated the game Rabbitohs last weekend and are sticking with Tom Trbojevic in his new role in the centres.

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Melbourne Storm v Manly Warringah

Start:	7.35pm AEST, Jul9 19
Venue:	AAMI Park, Melbourne
Head-to-head odds:	Melbourne Storm ($1.33) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($3.35)
Line betting:	Melbourne -9.5 ($1.90) v Manly +9.5 ($1.90)
Series odds:	Melbourne Storm $2.60; Manly Warringah $41

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Storm v Sea Eagles tips

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

Trent Loiero to score a try at $6.60

The Melbourne back-rower is really coming of age as a player and riding high on confidence after his Origin exploits. He’s a great chance to crash over the line in what he expect to a be a pretty brutal showdown. This selection is at $6-plus with online betting sites.

Melbourne -9.5 points/match total under 47.5 points

As Melbourne move into semi-final mode we expect them to tighten up their formidable defence even more. This match should take on a real finals-type feel and could be quite low-scoring. This option is around $3.80 with most Aussie bookmakers.

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Storm v Sea Eagles prediction 

The Storm just keep on keeping on. Every season many expect them to drop away slightly and yet they unearth new stars who fit seamlessly into their magnificent club system. Manly are a middle-of-the-table team, in or eyes at least, and while we hope to see a tight contest, it’s hard to imagine the Sea Eagles cutting through the swarming Storm defence in the AAMI Park fortress. Our final Melbourne-Manly prediction? The Storm by 12 points.