2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Sunday 1st August, 2021 – 07:05 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers 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 Penrith Panthers? 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, Ieremia, R. Smith, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich. B. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: Lewis, Papenhuyzen, H. Grant, J. Grant – Reserves: Lumelume, Moeroa
Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Ryley Jacks (Injured), Tom Eisenhuth (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), George Jennings (Injured), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm were given an almighty scare against North Queensland Cowboys last week but they did what was needed to extend their winning streak to 15 matches and if they can make it 16 here, they will have one hand on the minor premiership.
- The Storm had to produce a come-from-behind victory last week in an underwhelming performance but their rested players, one being Cameron Munster, return to the side here and Harry Grant is also back on deck after overcoming a hamstring injury.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Edwards, Staines, Crichton, Naden, Jennings, Burton, Luai, Leota, Kenny, Martin, Kikau, Capewell, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: Tago, Sorensen, Leniu, Hopgood – Reserves: Momirovski, Salmon
Unavailable: Nathan Cleary (Injured), Api Koroisau (Suspended), Isaah Yeo (Injured), James Fisher-Harris (Personal Reasons), Tyrone May (Injured), Brian To’o (Injured)
- Penrith Panthers were far from their best but did enough to hang on despite a late Brisbane Broncos comeback with that success making it four consecutive victories to remain right in the mix for top spot.
- This top two affair could now go a long way to deciding which side finishes at the summit come the end of the regular season but the Panthers have been hit by numerous issues this week and will be without key forwards Isaah Yeo and James Fisher-Harris as well as powerful winger Brian To’o.
THE PREDICTION
This could well be a rehearsal of the Grand Final with the top two
teams in the NRL set to do battle but Melbourne Storm start as big
favourites. They have won 15 games in succession and had the luxury of
being able to rest a few of their players last week ahead of this
fixture. Penrith Panthers on the other hand have won their last four but
the 17 that takes to the field here is far from their strongest and
with the Storm winning their last 11 games at Suncorp Stadium, they are
expected to clinch a 16th consecutive victory and it can be a big win at that with the margin set to be at least 16 points.
