The first of Saturday night’s NRL Round 11 matches is between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm. The opening kick is set to commence at  7:30pm local time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium. The home team the Sydney Roosters are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm.

Allianz Stadium

Saturday 7.30pm

Featured Bookmakers:

Sydney Roosters $1.64 vs Melbourne Storm $2.30 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Sydney Roosters $1.63 vs Melbourne Storm $2.32 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Sydney Roosters	1.64	1.60	1.63	1.60	1.64	1.63
Melbourne Storm	2.30	2.40	2.32	2.40	2.30	2.32

Preview:

Rarely do the Melbourne Storm head into a game without having won one of their past three matches but after losses to Canberra (24-20), Penrith (12-10) and a draw last Monday night with Manly (10 all), that’s this case as they face the in-form Roosters.

On the eve of Origin, generally a taxing time for the Storm and their star players, the Storm need a win to ensure that their current position on the ladder (3^rd) is maintained.

It’s hard to put a finger on the factor that has caused this minor form-slump but the Storm, who averaged 26.7 points per game in the first seven rounds, have struggled to be at their best in the past three games where they’ve scored 20, 10 and 10 points respectively.

The Roosters continue to go from strength to strength and have recorded five wins in a row, taking their season record to 8-2.
Last week they travelled to North Queensland, after a physical encounter against Manly on the Monday night prior, and toughed it out well to record a 12-8 victory.

This win further enhanced the Sydney Roosters claim of being one of the genuine title contenders this year as they proved that, not only capable of scoring plenty of points, they can tough a game out when required.

Since 2010, the two clubs have taken it in turns winning the four matches and, were that trend to continue it would the Storm victorious here however, given their form in the past three weeks and that this week they face the team with clearly the best defensive record in the competition, think the Roosters will be able to break that cycle and record their sixth consecutive victory.

Teams:

Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello (capt), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Luke O’Donnell, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Mitchell Aubusson, Sonny Bill Williams, Boyd Cordner. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Aidan Guerra, Lama Tasi

Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Maurice Blair, Justin O’Neill, Mahe Fonua, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Junior Moors, Lagi Setu, Slade Griffin

Storm sore after Manly NRL clash

Melbourne NRL coach Craig Bellamy plans to nurse his battle-weary players through a light week on the track before their second big game in five days when they tackle the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

Bellamy said Melbourne’s 10-10 draw with fourth-placed Manly at AAMI Park on Monday night in extra time had left his side bruised and battered.

“After about 10 or 15 minutes, it was a really tough arm wrestle. It was certainly the toughest game we’ve played this year,” Bellamy told reporters at training on Wednesday.

“It’s a short turnaround.

“There’ll be some things that we’ll have to change a little bit (at training) to what we’d planned to do between the two games.

“We’ve just got to be aware if you play 10 minutes longer, that really adds to what was a really quick and physical game as well.

“Recovery is a really important thing for us this week.

“We’ve got a lot of guys there really sore.

“This is our first training session. It’s only going to be a light one.”

The second-placed Roosters (16 points) are on a five-game winning streak and also boast the best defence in the competition, conceding only 9.4 points per game.

Defending premiers Melbourne are third on 15 points, having started the season with seven straight wins followed by two losses and the Manly draw.

“It was a really good sign for us on Monday night,” Bellamy said of Melbourne’s draw with Manly following losses to Penrith and Canberra, who are both outside the top eight.

Bellamy said the Storm needed to improve their starts and give an 80-minute performance, although putting on early points against the Roosters will be a big assignment.

“They’re building their game on defence so it’s going to be a real challenge for us up there,” Bellamy said.

“They’ve got a lot of good players in attack as well.

“We’re really up against it with a five-day turnaround.”

While the Roosters have an extra two days of rest before Saturday’s game, they are backing up from a game in Townsville last weekend.