2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans taking place? Saturday 5^th June, 2021 – 10:35 (UK)

Where is Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans taking place? AAMI Park, Melbourne

Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches

What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans 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 Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans? 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

THE TEAM NEWS

MELBOURNE STORM

Starting 13: Hynes, Jennings, R. Smith, Olam, Ieremia, Johns, Hughes, J. Bromwich, B. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, Eisenhuth, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: Booth, Kamikamica, Lewis, Pene – Reserves: J. Grant, Lumelume, Loiero, Jacks

Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Darryn Schonig (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), Tyson Smoothy (Injured), Cameron Munster (Origin), Harry Grant (Origin), Josh Addo-Carr (Origin), Felise Kaufusi (Origin), Christian Welch (Origin)

• Melbourne Storm produced another strong performance to make it nine successive victories as they overcame Brisbane Broncos last week with their eye-catching attacking prowess continuing.
• The Storm hit the 40-point mark for the seventh time during their nine-game winning streak and despite continuing to miss a host of talent with that list extended further this week because of State of Origin call-ups, Melbourne will back their fringe players to step up once again.

GOLD COAST TITANS

Starting 13: Campbell, Don, Kelly, Herbert, Sami, Taylor, Fogarty, Wallace, Rein, Jolliffe, Proctor, Stone, McIntyre – Interchanges: Peachey, Clark, Whitbread, Vuna – Reserves: Boyd, Marsters, Marzhew, Farmer

Unavailable: Sam Lisone (Injured), Jonus Pearson (Injured), Corey Thompson (Injured), Herman Ese’ese (Suspended), Beau Fermor (Injured), AJ Brimson (Origin), Moeaki Fotuaika (Origin), David Fifita (Origin), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Origin)

• Gold Coast Titans’ inconsistent nature struck again as they failed to make it back-to-back wins thanks to a terrible showing against Cronulla Sharks last week and Justin Holbrook’s side now face a real challenge to respond to that disappointment.
• The Titans were woeful in defence with that occurring too often so far this season and they now face reigning premiers Melbourne Storm without four of their key players because of State of Origin call-ups with Jayden Campbell set to debut at fullback.

THE PREDICTION

Melbourne Storm’s brilliant winning run continued as they made it nine in a row with another comfortable success last week. They look a real threat with ball in hand and have shown that they are capable of racking up points for fun at present. That spells trouble for a porous Gold Coast Titans defence that continue to ship points too frequently and with little resistance. The Titans have won just two of their last seven but they have conceded at least 20 points in each of those seven matches which is a worrying trend. Melbourne have won the last five meetings between the two and with their brilliant attack likely to relish facing a poor defence, the Storm should be able to cover the -20 handicap in this one.