Storm vs Sharks Prediction: Sharks to mount the pressure on leaders

Melbourne Storm will look to put more pressure on the top two in the NRL when they entertain the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on Sunday (05:00 BST). Craig Bellamy's team are third in the standings, but they have played three games fewer than league-leaders Canberra Raiders.

The two teams are only separated by four points, with the Canterbury Bulldogs tied 1st after a stellar start to the season. Cronulla need to find more consistency if they are to make the play-offs, with the Sharks down in ninth after collecting 18 points from 15 games. Below you can find my Storm vs Sharks predictions.

Team news

Melbourne winger Xavier Coates is back after being rested last week due to his State of Origin commitments. Grant Anderson moves back into the centres as a result, while Jack Howarth drops out due to illness.

Prop Stefano Utoikamanu and second-row forward Trent Loiero will return to the starting 13 after starting last week's 25-24 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Sharks prop Oregon Kaufusi is back after recovering from a hamstring injury, meaning Braden Hamlin-Uele drops to the bench.

Storm vs Sharks Odds

Melbourne's home advantage makes them the 1/3 favourites for Sunday's encounter on home soil. The draw is priced at 22/1, while Cronulla are considered 12/5 outsiders.

Bellamy's team are available at 20/21 to cover the -10 handicap, while they are as short as 1/2 to win the first half.

Melbourne Storm -10 @ 20/21

Things are looking good for Melbourne in what is usually a difficult part of the campaign. With State of Origin taking precedence, teams can lose form, but the Storm have won four of their last five.

Their only defeat came against Cronulla in Round 11, but they only lost 31-26 on that occasion.

Cronulla have struggled for consistency and have lost three of their last four. They were leading 28-12 in the second half against Brisbane Broncos last weekend before losing 34-28.

Melbourne have won their last nine games at home at AAMI Park, while the Sharks have only won one of their past seven matches at the home of the Storm.

Bellamy's team could soon find themselves top of the pile if they win their games in hand, so they are expected to prove too strong for the inconsistent Sharks.

Over 47.5 points @ 5/6

Games between the Sharks and Storm are often enthralling affairs, with the last four meetings containing no fewer than 43 points.

Sunday's match should be just as exciting, with Cronulla conceding 32 points on average in their last five games in the NRL.

The Sharks defence continues to be their Achilles heel at this stage of the season and it should ensure the neutrals have plenty to enjoy this Sunday.

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