Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels: NRL Sunday preview

Melbourne Storm begin their quest to win the NRL premiership when they take on Parramatta Eels on Sunday.

The Storm won the minor premiership in 2024, only to suffer heartbreak when losing the grand final 14-6 against Penrith Panthers.

Now they will be out to make up for that disappointment, starting against the Eels in Round 1.

Parramatta had a disastrous 2024, missing out on finals, and will be determined to rise again under the leadership of new coach Jason Ryles.

It does not get any tougher than a trip to Melbourne to take on the Storm and the Eels will have to pull out something very special to cause an upset.

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels betting preview

Storm can lay down a marker

The Storm love Round 1 of the NRL season, so much so they have won 22 consecutive Round 1 matches under coach Craig Bellamy.

They are the hot fancies to extend that run against an Eels side who they have beaten comfortably in the last two meetings.

The Storm won by over 30 points in the last meeting at AAMI Park and can be backed at 1.53 to win by 13+ on this occasion.

Bellamy is handed a massive boost with the news that star trio Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates have all recovered from injury and will play.

Coates has a great tryscoring record at AAMI Park, having scored 29 tries in 27 matches at the venue.

Harry Grant has also scored seven tries in his last five games against the Eels and the Hooker can be backed at 3.70 to score another.

Eels start life after Gutherson

The Eels will have a different look to them in 2025 with Ryles now head coach, while former skipper Clint Gutherson has moved on.

Ryles is a former assistant to Bellamy at the Storm and the Eels faithful will be hoping some inside knowledge can help pull off an upset.

They will also be missing influential playmaker Mitch Moses for the trip to Melbourne, which will make their job even harder.

However, they do have new recruit Zak Lomax in the side and the New South Wales centre is 3.50 to grab a try at anytime.

The Eels will also unleash exciting fullback Isaiah Iongi in place of Gutherson, and he can be backed at 4.50 to grab a try at anytime.

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Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels odds

Melbourne Storm - 1.10
Parramatta Eels - 7.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.