NRL Thursday: Eels v Storm betting tips, prediction & odds, round 15, 2020

Welcome to our Parramatta v Melbourne Storm match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday, August 20.

This is the clear match of the round, with the red-hot Storm sitting in second position and the Eels in third place, despite their shock loss last week to the emotion-charged St George Illawarra, who were farewelling coach Paul McGregor.

Betting sites have made the Eels favourites at home, which is a little surprising when you consider the way in which the Storm dismantled defending premiers Sydney Roosters 24-6 last Thursday night.

The last time these two teams met was in the second week of the finals last season when Melbourne scored a 32-0 win at AAMI Park in which they ran in seven tries, including five in the first 27 minutes!

The meeting before that in 2019 was even worse for the Eels, as the Storm piled on 11 tries in a 64-10 romp at Suncorp Stadium.

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The main reason bookies have made the Eels favourites for this clash is that the Storm are still without legendary hooker Cameron Smith and star playmaker Cameron Munster.

They have halfback Jahrome Hughes (groin) under an injury cloud for this match and if he can’t get up, the inexperienced Nicho Hynes would likely be called in.

The Storm have also lost prop Jesse Bromwich to suspension, lock Dale Finucane (calf) and winger Suliasi Vunivalu (broken jaw). But they have great replacements in Nelson Asofa-Solomona at prop, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in the back row and Sandor Earl on the wing .

Parramatta have stuck with the same line-up that lost to the Dragons.

Read on for our Eels v Storm tips and winner prediction for their NRL clash on Thursday, August 20.

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Eels v Storm odds

Kick-off: 7.50pm local time
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta
Head to head odds: Parramatta $1.54, Melbourne Storm $2.50
Line betting: Parramatta (-4.5 points) $1.85, Melbourne Storm (+4.5 points) $1.95
Match total: 36.5 points: over $1.91, under $1.91

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Eels v Storm free betting tips

Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free Parramatta v Melbourne betting tips.

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Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm prediction

The Storm have won their past four against the Eels and eight of the past 10. All the money in the lead-up has been for the Eels, even though they have been a little scratchy in recent weeks. There is a lot on the line in this match, with the Eels probably out of contention for the minor premiership if they lose this. We expect the two heavyweights to serve up a tight and tense clash as these two teams have probably the best two defensive records in the NRL this season. Our Eels v Storm prediction: Melbourne by two points.

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Eels v Storm lowdown

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