2020 NRL – Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Thursday 20th August, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm? 12c, clear skies
What channel is Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Blake, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Matterson, N. Brown – Interchanges: Stone, Niukore, Evans, Kaufusi – Reserves: Davey, Dunster
Unavailable: Peni Terepo (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels suffered a shock loss to St. George Illawarra Dragons as Brad Arthur’s side struggled with the ball once again and they have now failed to surpass 18 points in their last three matches.
- In a closely-fought game, the Eels were edged out 12-14 despite seeing more of the ball than their opponents as well as making more metres and receiving more set restarts but 14 errors ultimately proved to be their downfall.
- Having amassed 2,037 metres last week to take their tally to 26,657m for the season, the Eels have managed to run for more metres than any other team but they will need to start capitalising on these efforts with last week’s 17 earning a chance at right the wrongs of that performance.
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Earl, Lee, Olam, Addo-Carr, Jacks, Johns, Welch, B. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Faasuamaleaui – Interchanges: Hynes, Eisenhuth, Vete, Schonig – Reserves: Seve, Lewis
Unavailable: Tui Kamikamica (Injured), Max King (Injured), Paul Momirovski (Injured), Cameron Smith (Injured), Ricky Leutele (Match Fitness), Cameron Munster (Injured), Suliasi Vunivalu (Injured), Dale Finucane (Injured), Jesse Bromwich (Suspended), Jahrome Hughes (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm put their injury woes behind them as they produced a ruthless display to defeat Sydney Roosters last week which really laid down a marker for their Premiership credentials with their eighth successive victory.
- The Storm led 0-24 before 50 minutes were on the clock and despite not scoring another point, they knew the job was done with them failing to complete just six sets throughout the game while they also made six line breaks to one.
- They remain as the highest scorers in the NRL after the 6-24 success but will have a real battle on to maintain their winning streak here having lost Suliasi Vunivalu and Dale Finucane to injury with Jesse Bromwich also copping a ban and in a further blow, Jahrome Hughes is a late withdrawal so Cooper Johns will debut at halfback.
THE PREDICTION
Melbourne Storm produced one of the best performances of the season, especially given the circumstances, as they blew reigning premiers Sydney Roosters away last week to make it eight wins in a row. They will be hopeful of continuing that run despite missing some key players once again this week with their squad depth likely to be severely tested. They head to Bankwest Stadium to face a Parramatta Eels side that suffered a rare loss at the venue against St. George Illawarra Dragons last week with their inability to convert field position into points coming to the fore once again. The Eels must take their chances against an in-form Storm side who are game no matter what line-up takes to the field but Melbourne should be difficult to beat with the benefit of a +8.5 start here.
