NRL Saturday: Storm v Titans free tips & odds, round 13, 2021
Welcome to our Storm-Titans match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Sunshine Coast Stadium, on Saturday, June 5.
The Storm find themselves back at their home away from home on the Sunshine Coast, from where last season they launched their premiership-winning campaign.
They are sitting pretty in second spot of the ladder, content to have the unbeaten Panthers taking all the headlines while they aim to be at their peak when the business of finals rolls around in September.
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The Storm have won nine of their past 10 matches against the Titans and handed them a 42-6 thrashing in round 10, 2020, at this ground in their only meeting for the 2020 season.
The Titans are a different team now, of course, but they have been hit reasonably hard by Origin, while Melbourne are accustomed to dealing with the challenges of Origin season selection.
Gold Coast were highly touted as potential finalists this season after recruiting the likes of David Fifita from the Broncos and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from the Storm but they have struggled to find consistency.
The Storm eat up teams like that so the Titans will have to find something extraordinary to have any chance.
Storm v Titans team news for round 13
The Storm have plenty of reps in Origin, but they have already been playing without the likes of superstar Cameron Munster, rising star hooker Harry Grant and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) and winning with ease most weeks.
They now lose winger Josh Addo-Carr and back-rower Felise Kaufusi, but they regain powerhouse forward Kenny Bromwich after a hamstring strain. Dean Ieremia comes in for Addo-Carr.
They also regain half Ryley Jacks after he has overcome concussion issues.
The Titans lose fullback AJ Brimson and star forwards David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to Origin duties.
On the positive side they regain playmaker Ash Taylor after injury, while Tyrone Peachey also returns after injury on the pine. Jayden Campbell, the son of Titans legend Preston Campbell, makes his debut at fullback in place of Brimson and former Warrior Joseph Vuna plays his first NRL game since 2018.
Prop Jaimin Jolliffe and second-rowers Sam Stone and Sam McIntyre come in to fill the gaps left by Fifita, Fa’asuamaleaui and Fotuaika. Jai Whitbread joins the bench.
Storm v Titans
Kick-off: 7.35pm local time
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium
Head to head odds: Melbourne $1.08, Gold Coast $8.50
Line: Melbourne (-22.5 points) $1.85, Gold Coast (+22.5 points) $1.95
Match total: 50.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
Storm v Titans free betting tips
Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Saturday’s game.
Justin Olam to score 2+ tries
Olam is a powerful runner who will no doubt take on more responsibility with the Origin players missing. The PNG international is not overly big but he runs with a fearlessness that makes him a nightmare to tackle.
Storm to win/match total over 50.5
This option is paying aroun $2 with TopSport and it’s a little conservative but we are fearful of lines as big as the 22.5-point mark for this match. Teams can take the foot off the accelerator when they lead by big margins, and also there has been a huge rise in the number of sin-binnings which can skew margins.
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans prediction 5-6-2021
The Storm have a new look about them, particularly in the back line, but they just seem to have a stack of players capable of stepping up and playing an important role, no matter who is sitting out for Origin or injuries. It is a credit to their coaching and recruiting staff that they field such a powerful pack. Of course it helps to have so many top-notch Kiwi players such as Brandon Smith, the Bromwiches and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who are ineligible for Origin. The Titans pack in particular has been decimated and that’s going to make it tough for their back line to find any space. Our Storm v Titans prediction: Storm to win by 16 points.
Storm v Titans lowdown
Fox League and KAYO will telecast the game.
All of the top International betting sites will offer markets on the NRL.
The match kicks off at 7.35pm AEST
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