2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Saturday 28th August, 2021 – 10:35 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
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
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Ieremia, R. Smith, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich. B. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Lewis – Interchanges: H. Grant, Eisenhuth, Hynes, Kamikamica – Reserves: Lumelume, Moeroa
Unavailable: Max King (Injured), George Jennings (Injured), Dale Finucane (Injured), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm recorded yet another victory to take their tally to 19 successive victories, levelling the NRL record and they will be out to break that after their hard-fought success against Gold Coast Titans last week.
- Head coach Craig Bellamy opted to rotate his side last week in a bid to keep some of his star men fresh for the finals and despite going 10-0 down early on, they showed their class by responding to run out comfortable victors and they can now claim the record outright by coming out on top here.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Starting 13: Gutherson, Dunster, Penisini, Blake, Ferguson, D. Brown, Moses, Papali’i, Lussick, Paulo, Lane, Niukore, N. Brown – Interchanges: Stone, Cartwright, Makatoa, Hipgrave – Reserves: Smith, Kaufusi
Unavailable: Nathaniel Roache (Injured), Wiremu Greig (Injured), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Injured), Reed Mahoney (Injured), Tom Opacic (Injured), Ryan Matterson (Suspended), Maika Sivo (Injured)
- Parramatta Eels ended their losing streak at four matches with a win over North Queensland Cowboys last week but it might be too late to work their way back into the top four with Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles still ahead of them on the ladder.
- The Eels will have been relieved to end their losing streak but they will also be aware that they were facing a poor side with the might of league leaders Melbourne Storm lying in wait for them here.
THE PREDICTION
Melbourne Storm can break the NRL record for consecutive wins by
making it 20 successive victories in this clash with Parramatta Eels.
The Storm have been ruthless throughout the season and with some key
players back on board this week, they will be confident of another win
here. The Eels have struggled of late but did earn a first win in five
by overcoming North Queensland Cowboys last week. However, they still
look a long way short of the top teams in the NRL and with the Storm
looking to move a step closer to clinching the minor premiership,
Melbourne should be able to run out big winners by at least 20 points
here.
