Allianz Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 7 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday April 18, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Where: Allianz Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Odds
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm are coming off two-point wins last week before kicking off Round 7 at Allianz Stadium.
The 3-3 Roosters eased the pressure of three losses from their previous four games with a 22-20 win at Newcastle, despite the absence of some injured big guns.
Like their upset loss to Canterbury a week earlier, the Tricolours again started slowly but found a three-try burst in the first half set up the victory.
James Tedesco returns from concussion, pushing Round 6 man-of-the-match Joey Manu back to centre and Joseph Suaalii to the wing and Junior Pauga out of the side.
Egan Butcher comes onto the bench for Sitili Tupouniua (head knock) while Sam Walker is listed in the reserves.
Brandon Smith enjoyed his best game of the season against the Knights on the back of a platform laid by Manu, Victor Radley and Terrell May.
The 4-1 Storm have a share of the competition lead but made hard work of a 16-14 eclipse of the Bulldogs last Friday.
After leading 10-0 at halftime, their right edge was torn apart in a 15-minute collapse but the Storm were good enough to escape via Shawn Blores 75th-minute try.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named for his long-awaited first NRL appearance of the season this week, replacing Tui Kamikamica (calf) and Joe Chan comes onto the bench for Tepai Moeroa.
The Storm have won eight of their last nine against the Roosters, including wins at home (28-8) and away (30-16) during the 2023 regular season with Xavier Coates grabbing hat-tricks in both and a last-gasp 18-13 semi-final victory at AAMI Park.
The Roosters boast an 8-3 record at Allianz Stadium since its 2022 reopening, meanwhile, the Storm have won only two of their last seven on the road including a loss in their only away game of 2024 so far to the Knights.
Neither title contender has fully hit their straps yet, though the Storm have been the more consistent of the pair.
The average margin in Melbournes games this season is 3.6 points and another nail-biter looms on Thursday with the under also looking likely.
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Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Tip
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.87 odds.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Connor Watson 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Dylan Napa 20. Max McCathie 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Sam Walker
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Joe Chan 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Jack Howarth 20. Kane Bradley 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Chris Lewis
