NRL Friday: Storm v Rabbitohs, predictions & odds, round 4, 2020

Welcome to our NRL betting tips and preview for the match between the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney in Melbourne on Friday.

This match throws together a couple of heavyweights of the competition, but they both need to answer a few questions quickly if they are to remain contenders for the 2020 NRL title.

This is the second NRL match being played on Friday, following the Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors match at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney. That match starts at 6pm.

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NRL Thursday: Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters betting preview
NRL Saturday: Parramatta Eels v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles betting preview

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The Storm were exposed by the impressive Canberra Raiders at home in their first match back after the COVID-19 hiatus last week.

Their defence was again solid but an ongoing theme is their lack of spark in attack; they have scored just 36 points total in three matches this 2020 NRL season.

Melbourne Storm will be without towering prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is suspended for one match.

The Wayne Bennett-coach Rabbitohs, meanwhile, have had little trouble scoring but their defence has been leaky. Bennett-coached teams have always been renowned for their starch and cohesion in defence so if they can work that out they may quickly find a winning formula.

Star five-eighth Cody Walker is serving the final week of his suspension and his return will give the Bunnies a real lift next round.

Read on for our best bets and winner prediction for the Storm v Rabbitohs clash in Melbourne on Friday, June 5.

Storm v Rabbitohs odds

Kick-off: 7.55pm local time
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Head to head odds: Melbourne $1.44, South Sydney $2.80
Line betting: Melbourne (-5.5 points) $1.90, South Sydney (+5.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 38.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90

Storm v Rabbitohs free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for the Storm v Rabbitohs clash.

South Sydney +5.5 points at $1.90

Souths were well beaten by the Roosters last week, but the Storm were well held by the Raiders at home. We can see the Rabbits getting a run-on here, with the flying centre James ”the Jet” Roberts some chance of being a late inclusion. Take the $1.90 with leading bookmaker Unibet about Souths with the start.

Match total over 38.5 points at $1.90

Fine but cold conditions are forecast with a light breeze and this should make for a fast, flowing game. As mentioned, Souths have the capacity to add quick points and it took a big defensive effort for the Roosters to nullify them so well last week. Storm also should take advantage of the Rabbits’ defensive frailties. That should make for a high-scoring contest. Take the overs at $1.90 with leading bookmaker Unibet in the match total market.

Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction

The clash between all-time great hooker Cameron Smith and current Australian rake Damien Cook alone makes this match well worth watching. Cook is a dynamo with his speed off the mark and is perfectly suited by the new six-again ruck rules. Smith will no doubt adapt and thrive. We think the Rabbitohs might cause a boilover here despite their woeful record against Melbourne of just five wins in 31 previous match-ups.

Storm v Rabbitohs lowdown