Wests Tigers v Storm preview

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Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt for two sides who love a good slog in the wet.

Yep - you read right, the forecast is showers for this Sunday arvo special at the Lilyfield Rectangle, so strap yourself in for some wet-weather football. The Wests Tigers come into this one riding the back of a four-match losing streak, and risk falling completely off the pace if they can't jag the two points here. That task has been made harder with Aaron Woods to miss a month of footy after a flare-up of an ankle injury.

The Storm meanwhile were resolute against Canterbury last Monday despite losing by six, but were less than convincing in downing reigning spooners Newcastle a week prior. Injuries are plaguing the 2012 premiers as well - Will Chambers has joined Billy Slater and Curtis Scott on the long-term casualty list after fracturing his foot this week.

Last meeting: Round 21 2015 - Tigers 34 Storm 16

The Storm have the edge overall since the teams first met in 2000, but at Leichhardt the record books are flipped, with the Wests Tigers claiming eight wins from eleven matches in the 16 years of their existence - including the only clash between the sides last year.

Who to watch: Predictably, I'm going with James Tedesco here. He's been absolutely breathtaking in recent weeks despite the Tigers' inability to win games. His man-of-the-match performance against Cronulla in a losing team was particularly notable as he continues to impress selectors - and he's no doubt bound for rep honours in the coming weeks.

Dale Finucane has been silently toiling away for the Storm, recording 213 tackles across his six matches so far, and in attack possesses a handy off-load. He'll be key again for Melbourne on Sunday - watch him tackle his backside off if they find themselves stuck on their own line.

The favourite: The form of the hosts has them as outsiders going into this one. All the money for the Storm thus far.

My tip: Despite their ordinary run, there's something about the Wests Tigers' record against the Storm at Leichhardt I can't quite shake. Melbourne hate playing there, it's that simple. Wests Tigers by 8.

1. James Tedesco 22. Joshua Addo-Carr 3. Nathan Milone 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Jordan Rankin 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Robbie Farah 10. Tim Grant 11. Dene Halatau 12. Chris Lawrence 15. Curtis Sironen
Interchange: 14. Josh Aloiai 16. Kyle Lovett 17. Joel Edwards

1. Cameron Munster 22. Suliasi Vunivalu 18. Richard Kennar 4. Ben Hampton 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 15. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 10. Jordan McLean 14. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Referees: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea, Bernard Sutton;