Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Prediction: Top table contest will be tough

Week 24 of the National Rugby League will see the Penrith Panthers play Melbourne Storm at Penrith Stadium. The two teams are the best two sides in the league this season, and much is anticipated from them. How will this game unfold? Below, a full match analysis and betting opportunities are discussed. 

The Penrith Panthers made it five wins in five consecutive matches against the Parramatta Eels the previous weekend. In what was a very close game, the Penrith Panthers won by just two points in a 34-36 encounter, thanks to Nathan Cleary's brilliance in the second half, which saw this team win 18-22 after a poor halftime. In the meantime, Penrith Panthers have secured 36 points this season from 20 league games, leaving them second spot in the standings.

Following a defeat to the St. George Illawarra Dragons, the Melbourne Storm stepped up last weekend to power a 16-28 win against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In that encounter, the Melbourne Storm started the first half with a 4-22 win, and despite a struggling second half that saw them lose 12-6, they still did well to win. Heading into this game, this team has the most points accumulated, 38 this season from 20 matches, leaving them 2 points ahead of Panthers. 

The Penrith Panthers have not lived to hype this season, but they are doing well to stay 2nd spot in the standings. As for the Melbourne Demons, they are a side that can not be written off, looking at their overall season performance. These are the two best sides in the league, and we can expect a high-quality performance from them. While I expect the two teams to be at their best, a bet on points is a good one, but with the Panthers at home, they have this one.