After two successive losses and a draw with Manly, the Storm have bounced back in recent weeks to their best with a solid win over the Roosters (26-18) and a comprehensive victory over Cronulla (38 – 6) in their most recent match.

Their Origin stars have had a plenty of time to recover from the first Origin game and at home, will prove hard for a struggling Newcastle to overcome.

The Knights lost their third successive game when beaten by St. George last week (14-8).

It was their fifth loss in the past six weeks and the poor form has seen the Knights slip outside of the eight.

With Gold Coast and Canterbury – two inform sides awaiting the Knights in the next two rounds, the Knights will have to find form and fast.

The last time the Knights got the better of the Storm however was back in Round 23, 2009 – six matches back and expect the Storm to stretch that winning streak to seven here.

TIP: STORM 13+

Odds Comparison by NRL odds:

Melbourne Storm	1.18	1.18	1.19	1.18	1.18	1.16
Newcastle Knights	5.15	5.15	4.90	5.15	5.15	5.10

Teams:

Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair , Justin O’Neill, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Junior Moors, Jordan McLean

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Kevin Naiqama, Jarrod Mullen (c), Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Travis Waddell, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Chris Houston, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Adam Clydsdale, David Fa’alogo, Beau Scott, Korbin Sims, Neville Costigan