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Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Tips - ‘Thee and Mee 23’ for Bellamy
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- Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 1 NRL game
- Kick off is at 4:05 PM (AEDT) at AAMI Park
- Storm are expected to cover the 18.5-point spread, starting the season strong with a fully fit squad.
- Parramatta Eels face a challenging match under new coach Jason Ryles, needing time to adjust new team combinations.
NRL Expert Ryan previews the Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels matchup
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels, Round 1 2025 - Expert Prediction
Craig Bellamy will extend his Round 1 win record to 23 consecutive games as the Storm crush the Eels and cover the monster opening round line of 18.5 points as the favourites.
The Storm were inches away from another Premiership last season and will be out to go one better in 2025 and getting off to a good start while they have a fully fit squad will be vital to their plan .
The Eels have a new coach in Jason Ryles, along with a bunch of new faces with the departure of King Gutho from the west. It is going to take Parra time to sort out their new combinations and going up against last season’s Minor Premiers is a monstorous task.
Expect the Storm to be clinical from the get go and surpass their 2024 season average of 29 points in attack as they blow the Eels out of the water.
Ryan Papenhuyzen has 6 tries in his last 8 games against the Eels scoring in both matches last season. Papas is set for a big 2025 if he can stay healthy and he will kick it off with a try in Melbourne.
- Melbourne won their final 3 games of 2024 at AAMI Park by 27 points or more.
- Craig Bellamy has won 22 consecutive first round matches with the Storm.
- Melbourne have scored 30+ points in their last 3 matches against Parramatta
- Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored 29 tries in 35 games at AAMI Park.
Head to Head
Melbourne won both clashes with Parramatta in 2024 by margins of 18 & 32 points.
The double-victory extended the Storm’s win streak over the Eels to 4, with Parramatta not beating Melbourne since the 202 season.
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
The Storm were a quarter of a game and just 8 points away from a Premiership in 2024, going down to the Panthers 14-6 in the Grand Final last season, unable to turn their Minor Premiership into another ring.
Melbourne struggled with injury to their big stars all season long last year, but you would not have known it by looking at their results, ending the regular season with 19 wins from 24 matches, while crating 6.7 linebreaks per game (1st in NRL) and scoring an average of 29 points per game (2nd in NRL).
Jahrome Hughes was the constant for Melbourne in 2024, winning the Dally M Medal, scoring 12 tries, assisting 31, while also orchestrating 26 linebreaks. Hughes was also the game manager and his kicking game both from his own half and also inside his opposition 20 was arguably the best in the business last season.
2025 Betting Trends
| ATS | Over/Under | 1-12 | 13+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-15 | 15-12 | 12-6 | 9-0 |
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne are fully fit for Round 1 with concerns over Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates and Jahrome Hughes all squashed on team list day.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended for Round 1, while new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu will slot straight into the front row for his new club.
Melbourne Storm Team List
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Tui Kamikamica
17. Lazarus Vaalepu
Reserves
18. Grant Anderson
19. Bronson Garlick
20. Joe Chan
21. Sua Fa'alogo
22. Kane Bradley
Parramatta Eels Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
Parramatta won their final two games of the season to avoid the Wooden Spoon by 2 competition points in 2024.
NSW halfback Mitchell Moses played just 8 games for the Eels in 2024 and will start the season once again on the sideline, when his team needs him the most.
Despite the Eels ranking eighth in attack in 2024, they only mustered 7 wins, due to their treacherous defence. Parramatta conceded the second most linebreaks, at 6.8 per game which inevitably led to the second most opposition point in the NRL, conceding 29.8 per game.
New head coach Jason Ryles is going to have his hands full tackling the Eels project in his first-time in charge of an NRL footy team. Defence will be the key to any resurgence for the Parramatta in 2025
2025 Betting Trends
| ATS | Over/Under | 1-12 | 13+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-13 | 14-10 | 5-8 | 2-9 |
Parramatta Eels Team News
Plenty going on at the Eels and it is not of the good kind. Star halfback Mitch Moses has been ruled out for 6 weeks with a foot injury which puts an even bigger damper on their chances this season.
Sean Russell and Jake Tago with Josh Addo-Carr suspended and Bailey Simonson injured to start the year. Zac Lomax will start his era at the Eels in the centres.
Joe Ofahengaue will start in the front row with the exit of Reagan Campbell-Gillard to the Goldy. Sean Lane will miss the first month of the season with injury as Kelma Tualagi and Jack Williams start in the second row.
Parramatta Eels Team List
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Sean Russell
3. Will Penisini
4. Zac Lomax
5. Jake Tago
6. Dylan Brown
7. Ronald Volkman
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Jack Williams
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
14. Ryley Smith
15. Matt Doorey
16. Ryan Matterson
17. Charlie Guymer
Reserves
18. Joash Papalii
19. Jordan Samrani
20. Toni Mataele
21. Sam Tuivaiti
22. Joey Lussick
Verdict
Melbourne will cover the 18.5 points as the favourite by scoring over their team total of 30.5 points. Ryan Papenhuyzen will cross the line for his third consecutive try against the Eels.
Melbourne -18.5
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