2020 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Saturday 3rd October, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels? 19c, clear skies
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels 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 Parramatta Eels? 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
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Lee, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Asofa-Solomona – Interchanges: B. Smith, Faasuamaleaui, Hynes, Lewis – Reserves: Schonig, Lumelume
Unavailable: Marion Seve (Injured), Dale Finucane (Injured), Tui Kamikamica (Suspended), Max King (Suspended), Tom Eisenhuth (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm rested their big guns last week in preparation for the start of the finals and despite losing out to St. George Illawarra Dragons in their final game of the regular season, they will not be disheartened by their efforts in that clash.
- The Storm pushed the Dragons all the way and would have forced golden point had they not missed four conversions but with their key players back in the mix this week as well as handing some fringe players important minutes last week, Melbourne come into this in good shape.
- Sulisai Vunivalu, Tino Faasuamaleaui, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi have all been named to return from slight knocks while the likes of Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes are also back in the side after they were afforded a rest.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Sivo, M. Jennings, Blake, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Campbell-Gillard, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Matterson, N. Brown – Interchanges: Smith, Davey, Evans, Niukore – Reserves: Stone, Takairangi
Unavailable: Peni Terepo (Personal Reasons)
- Parramatta Eels almost dropped out of the top four as they stuttered against Wests Tigers in their final game of the regular season but two tries in the final 15 minutes saw them overturn an eight-point deficit to secure third place.
- The Eels again had to work hard but in posting 28 points, they achieved their highest total since their Round 8 clash with North Queensland Cowboys. That saw them end the season with 392 to their name which makes them the lowest scores in the entire top eight.
- In a huge boost to their attacking options, the Eels have named Dylan Brown to start at five-eighth in a sooner than expected return from ankle surgery whilst Marata Niukore is also back on the bench after overcoming a rib issue.
THE PREDICTION
There is a bit of bad blood between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels and that adds an extra edge to this qualifying final. Melbourne’s injury-hit side were nilled by Parramatta earlier in the season but it was comments from the Eels after the game which sparked some anger within the Storm camp and they are likely to use those comments to focus their attention on the task in hand here. Melbourne destroyed Parramatta 32-0 to knock the Eels out of the finals last year and their big game experience is likely to be crucial here. The Storm have won 18 of their last 20 at Suncorp and they have won all eight matches that they have played in Brisbane so far this season which makes them a daunting proposition. With the second-best attack and defence in the NRL, the Storm should have too much for the Eels and they can lay down a marker by winning this by 13+.
