NRL Sunday: Dragons v Storm betting tips, prediction & odds, round 20, 2020

Welcome to our St George Illawarra v Melbourne Storm preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday, September 27.

We think the Dragons-Storm match will throw up more opportunities for punters, with the Storm brains trust resting so many key players ahead of the finals. It will be an interesting look into just how much depth the Storm have at their disposal.

The earlier match on Sunday is the New Zealand Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles from 2pm at Central Coast Stadium, with both teams playing their final matches of the season.

Melbourne have won eight of their past 11 matches against St George Illawarra, but bookie have reacted to the Storm fielding a weakened line-up by making the home team the $1.77 favourites against the second-placed Storm.

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Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has decided to field a virtual seconds team, with second place parcelled up. The only regular back line player in the Storm line-up is fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who needs a run after returning from an Achilles injury.

 Out from the backs go wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu, centres, Brenko Lee and Justin Olam and halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes. Forwards Cameron Smith, Jesse Bromwich, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will also watch on with their feet up.

Meanwhile, the Dragons will be keen to finish a disappointing season on a high, with young Jayden Sullivan debuting at five-eighth and Adam Clune back at halfback. Last week’s halves Ben Hunt (suspended) and Corey Norman (dropped) make way. Experienced centre Euan Aitken (hamstring) is back, while Max Feagai replaces winger Jordan Pereira. Prop Eddie Blacker makes his debut on the pine.

Read on for our Dragons v Storm tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Sunday, September 27.

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Dragons v Storm odds

Kick-off: 4.05pm local time
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Head to head odds: St George Illawarra $1.77, Melbourne $2.07
Line betting: St George Illawarra (-1.5 points) $1.87, Melbourne (+1.5 points) $1.93
Match total: 44.5 points: over $1.97, under $1.83

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Dragons v Storm free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free Dragons v Storm betting tips for Sunday’s game.

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Dragons v Storm prediction 27-9-2020

The Storm are rolling the dice a little as it’s never a good idea to flirt with your form a week out from the finals. But then again, plenty of players are carrying bruises and other ailments and the Storm can’t finish anywhere but second after this final round of matches. The Sydney Roosters have done something similar in resting players but they have taken a staggered approach and rested a few at a time. It’s an interesting tactic, and some of these Storm players will be keen to put up their hands for a spot in the finals team. But we expect the Dragons to get the job done comfortably as the Melbourne team struggles with cohesion a little. Our St George Illawarra v Melbourne prediction: Dragons by 20 points.

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Dragons v Storm lowdown

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