BlueBet Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 23 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday August 4, 2023 at 8:00 pm

Where: BlueBet Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Odds

Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Preview

An out-and-out blockbuster for the second leg of Friday night footy – and still the most likely grand final match-up in many eyes.

Penrith are odds-on favourites to snare another minor premiership, holding onto top spot with 10 wins from their last 11 games.

After navigating an arduous Origin period, Nathan Cleary’s return from injury has inspired a 44-18 defeat of the Bulldogs and a 28-0 shutout of the Sharks.

The Panthers’ are firing in every department after a patchy start to their pursuit of third straight title, but their defence has rarely been anything shy of elite – they are conceding a miserly 12.42 points per game.

This week Zac Hosking has been named in the centres for the suspended Tyrone Peachey, but Izack Tago is in the reserves and could be a late inclusion. Jaeman Salmon joins the Penrith bench.

Tago was the star of the show as the Panthers overcome an early double-digit deficit to overwhelm the Storm 34-16 in Melbourne five weeks ago – their fourth win in six encounters between the clubs since the Storm’s ambush in the 2020 grand final.

It’s been an up-and-down run since for the fourth-placed Storm, throwing away another 12-0 lead in Newcastle in Round 21 in between convincing victories over the Roosters (30-16) and Eels (46-16).

Last week’s win was Melbourne at its best., after withstanding an early Parramatta assault, the Storm piled on eight tries with Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant in untouchable form.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a huge in for Melbourne, which bumps Tyran Wishart out of the 17.

With 34 wins from their last 37 matches at Penrith, it’s hard to back against the Panthers.

The 9.5-point line is a little hefty, but frankly the Storm have rarely looked on the Panthers’ level in 2023 when faced with top-shelf opposition.

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