Storm vs Broncos Prediction: 7/1 bet for Broncos to cause a Storm

Two of the NRL Premiership’s form sides clash on Thursday when the Melbourne Storm welcome the Brisbane Broncos to AAMI Park for a crucial fixture in the regular-season run-in (19:50 local, 10:50 BST).

The Storm are well placed to challenge for top spot, while a run of six wins in seven matches has brought the Broncos right into the top-eight mix. My Storm vs Broncos predictions follow, with full team news and Betfred’s match odds.

Storm vs Broncos Odds

This one’s a fascinating duel, with the bookies leaning towards the home-town Storm but not by much. Betfred have Melbourne at 1/2 for the victory inside 80 minutes, with the Broncos 17/10 on enemy territory.

The draw in normal time is a 20/1 dig, with the regular two-way handicap giving Brisbane a 6.5-point start.

In that setting, the Broncos are 5/6, while you’ll get 20/21 for the Storm to overcome the disadvantage.

Team News

Alec MacDonald could be a late addition to the Storm line-up as he looks to return from a rib injury sustained against the North Queensland Cowboys five weeks ago. He’s currently listed among the reserves.

Elsewhere, Jack Howarth is replaced by Kane Bradley with the former unavailable due to a groin problem. Ativalu Lisati moves to the bench to make way for Trent Loiero.

For Michael Maguire, there’s a probable return for the fantastic Payne Haas in the front row after missing last week’s hammering of the South Sydney Rabbitohs due to an infection.

Xavier Willison misses out with a fractured arm though, while Tyson Smoothy is the 18th player.

Rugby League Odds

Storm by 1-12 points @ 2/1

While the Broncos are on a hot streak which has seen them move up from 12th to sixth over the course of the last two months, they face a Storm side who are pretty unbreakable on home territory.

Melbourne did lose their last game at AAMI Park, against the Manly Sea Eagles in round 20, but that was their only defeat in the last nine and the first at home in almost a year.

I do think this one will be a close-run thing, and it may go back and forth for periods, but the Storm should have too much for the Broncos when it comes to it.

In the likes of Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm have some hugely consistent influences in the spine. And it’s that big-game impact which ought to have the final say.

Chuck in the 2/1 odds available with Betfred which imply a 33.3% probability, and the price on a margin of two scores of less looks generous.

Double Result: Broncos-Storm @ 7/1

As I said earlier, there’s every chance this one is a to-and-fro encounter given the quality on display on both sides of the ledger.

The 7/1 odds about a Broncos lead being overturned look very tasty to me, and this is a risk I’m willing to take. And here’s why.

In three of their last four defeats, Brisbane have had the half-time lead, while Craig Bellamy’s side have recorded four wins this season when not having held the lead at the break.

While there’s no particular fine art to this bet, if we are of the belief that the lead could change hands then that 7/1 on offer looks even better.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.