Panthers vs Storm Prediction: Value to be found on Melbourne against league leaders

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Panthers vs Storm Odds

The comparative form of these two means it’s the Panthers who are being backed for the win.

Betfred have Penrith at 4/11 to claim the points, with the Storm out at 12/5. That implies a 29.4% probability of an away victory.

The Storm are handed a 9.5-point start in the two-way handicap, with their price narrowing to 10/11 as a result. The Panthers are 5/6 to overcome the difference.

Team News

Mitch Kenny’s one-match suspension opens the way for Freddy Lussick to start in the number nine jumper for the Panthers.

Izack Tago is back in contention as one of the subs after being left out in recent weeks, and Jack Cogger’s return from concussion means he’s also among the interchange options.

Rugby League Odds

Tui Kamikamica is out for the Storm after suffering a suspected stroke on Monday to the shock of the rugby league world.

Coach Craig Bellamy recalls Nick Meaney following his absence with a back issue, but Moses Leo misses out due to concussion.

Lazarus Vaalepu takes Kamikamica’s spot on the bench, while Jack Howarth looks set to start in the centres after receiving a knock to his hip against the Cowboys.

Panthers by 1-12 @ 2/1

Looking at recent form, there are a million and one reasons to expect the Panthers to waltz home in this one.

But taking into account the stature of the Storm, there has to be an expectation that they correct course sooner rather than later.

Penrith looked set to rack up 60 or more against the Eels when they opened up a big early lead, and while they were never in any danger of dropping points the 48-20 final scoreline showed they can be got at.

And if Melbourne can fix up some stuff in D, they should be able to push the Panthers closer than many are expecting.

So I like the look of Penrith by one or two scores at 2/1, which implies a 33.3% probability. I think there’s more chance than that of Ivan Cleary’s men being run close.