Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Round 23 Tips & Prediction - Fozball back on track
The NRL Round 23 clash sees the Manly Sea Eagles tipped to defeat the Melbourne Storm, regaining momentum in their push for finals. Both teams have struggled recently, but Manly hold a stronger points differential and recent head-to-head success. Key players Tolu Koula and Moses Leo are expected to score, with the overall score likely exceeding 48.5 points. Injuries continue to affect the Storm, while Manly aim to capitalize to get their season back on track.
- Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles predictions for Saturday's NRL R23 game
- Both teams struggling, Manly backed to extend recent good record over Melbourne
- Over 48.5 points backed with Koula & Leo scoring tries
- The game is scheduled to start at 3.00pm AEST on Saturday August 8
Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Round 23 Tips & Prediction
Manly are tipped to get their finals charge back on track and return to the winners circle against a Storm side who are all but out of the top eight race, with outside backs Tolu Koula and Moses Leo backed for tries in a game that exceeds 48.5 total points.
Both teams come into this encounter in poor form and with their finals hopes taking a massive hit over the last month. Melbourne have lost four of their last five to slip to 12th on the ladder, six points adrift of the finals, while Manly have lost five of their last six, including two golden point heartbreakers and a crushing 48-12 defeat at the hands of Cronulla before last week's bye to slip into 10th position.
However, while the Storm's season is almost certainly over, it's not all doom and gloom for the Sea Eagles just yet. They're equipped with a handy points differential of +90, which is far stronger than the Bulldogs and Cowboys, who have emerged as their two main contenders to sneak back into the top eight.
Admittedly, this isn't my most confident bet of all time as Manly have been pretty awful over the last month, but I'll place some faith in Kieran Foran getting his team back on track after the bye against a Storm side who have been unravelled by injuries and appear to be running on fumes after a tough season.
Manly dominated Melbourne not so long ago in Round 17 and are tipped to repeat that victory out in Perth to kick off Super Saturday. Both teams are leaking points, so Over 48.5 is in play, while Tolu Koula and Moses Leo look set to take advantage of the open space out wide.
Storm vs Sea Eagles Stats & Trends
- Sea Eagles have won five of the last seven between the teams
- Sea Eagles have seen 60+ points in their last two games
- Storm have seen 54+ points in their last two games
- Storm have lost four of their last five games
- Tolu Koula scored vs Storm in R17 & has 1+ try in three of his last four games
- Moses Leo has scored eight tries in his last eight games
Storm vs Sea Eagles Head To Head
Manly have enjoyed success in this matchup recently, winning five of the last seven - including a dominant 30-4 triumph at Brookie in R17.
| Year | Winner | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Manly Sea Eagles | 30–4 | 4 Pines Park |
| 2025 | Manly Sea Eagles | 18–16 | AAMI Park |
| 2025 | Melbourne Storm | 48–24 | 4 Pines Park |
| 2024 | Manly Sea Eagles | 26–20 | 4 Pines Park |
| 2023 | Melbourne Storm | 24–6 | AAMI Park |
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis
It's been a challenging season for the Storm on many fronts and they've seemingly run out of gas heading into the final month of campaign.
Melbourne appeared as if they could mount a late push for the finals having won four of their five games between Round 13-19, but three straight defeats have all but ended their season.
They've all been pretty closes losses too - a 14-6 defeat to the Roosters was followed by 28-26 and 36-22 scores against South Sydney and Canterbury.
The Storm were level 16-16 at half-time courtesy of a Moses Leo double, but only managed one try in the second half.
Manly Sea Eagles Form Analysis
The honeymoon period is well and truly over for Kieran Foran, with his side slumping to four consecutive defeats and tumbling outside of the top eight as a result.
Manly looked genuine premiership contenders in the months after Foran took charge, but that form has fallen off a cliff and now they look outsiders to even feature in the finals.
After three 1-12 defeats to the Eels, Cowboys and Titans, Manly were blown off the park with some bad old defensive habits creeping back into their game in a crushing 48-12 loss to Cronulla before last week's bye.
Storm vs Sea Eagles Team News
Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes remain sidelined for the Storm, but a big boost with Cameron Munster returning to partner rookie Hayden Watson in the halves.
Jack Howarth returns at centre and Davvy Moale comes onto the bench for Alec Macdonald, who is out with concussion.
Ben Trbojevic is also out with concussion for Manly, with Corey Waddell returning from injury in his place.
Blake Wilson comes into backline on the wing, with Koula moving to the centres.
| Storm | Position | Sea Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Sualauvi Faalogo | Fullback | Lehi Hopoate |
| Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown | Winger | Jason Saab |
| Jack Howarth | Centre | Tolutau Koula |
| Nick Meaney | Centre | Reuben Garrick |
| Moses Leo | Winger | Blake Wilson |
| Cameron Munster | Five-Eighth | Joey Walsh |
| Hayden Watson | Halfback | Jamal Fogarty |
| Stefano Utoikamanu | Prop | Taniela Paseka |
| Tyran Wishart | Hooker | Brandon Wakeham |
| Josh King | Prop | Ethan Bullemor |
| Cooper Clarke | Second Row | Haumole Olakau'atu |
| Oryn Keeley | Second Row | Corey Waddell |
| Trent Loiero | Lock | Jake Trbojevic |
| Trent Toelau | Interchange | Jake Simpkin |
| Shawn Blore | Interchange | Nathan Brown |
| Davvy Moale | Interchange | Simione Laiafi |
| Angus Hinchey | Interchange | Fletcher Baker |
| Joe Chan | Interchange | Jackson Shereb |
| Jack Hetherington | Interchange | Josh Feledy |
Verdict
Manly are backed to return to the winners circle in a game that goes Over 48.5 points.
Manly Win
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