Titans v Storm preview

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Storm hit form as Titans begin to falter.

It's the second match-up this season already for these two clubs - a comfortable 34-16 win for the Storm in Round 2 at AAMI Park told us the Storm were still contenders and the Titans still struggle away from home. Fast forward seven weeks and we have a Storm team that's bumbled through the opening two months before finding their groove in a 42-0 demolition of the Warriors last week, while the Titans have surprised a few sides before tripping and stumbling themselves, now finding themselves fighting to avoid a fifth straight loss.

The Gold Coast's best form is often found at home - so it stands to reason they've been in Sydney for the three of their four straight losses. Each of the losses too have been a case of 'close enough isn't good enough' - with the biggest losing margin eight points to 2015 runners up Brisbane back in Round 5. Consecutive five-point losses to the Sharks and Dragons then saw the Titans push Canterbury to golden point last week, where they ended up losing by one.

Melbourne on the other hand are a mixed bag. Despite winning three of their last four, they've barely scraped past the Knights and Wests Tigers, before putting the Warriors through the cleaners last week on ANZAC Day. Their loss in that period came to a very good Bulldogs outfit (that week, anyway) and exposed flaws in their attack. If the Titans can drag them down to that level, they could be in trouble.

Last meeting: Round 2 2016 - Storm 34 Titans 16

Who to watch: It will be good for the Titans to have Ashley Taylor back at the helm this week. Cameron Cullen is a wonderful deputy but the Titans seem to have lost their way having Taylor out. His control around the ruck is priceless for the home side if they're to make a contest of this one.

The Storm are expected to possibly be missing Marika Koroibete in this one through injury. If he is omitted his replacement together with rookie Suliasi Vunivalu will have their work cut out for them. Melbourne aren't renowned for their edge defence lately and it's one area Bellamy must work on. With players like Josh Hoffman and David Mead troubling their flanks, Melbourne's outside men need to be defensively strong.

The favourite: Melbourne's form from last weekend has them comfortable favourites today.

My tip: Simply cannot go past Melbourne for this one. The Titans have the cattle to cause an upset, but so far have lacked the class. Storm by 6.

1. William Zillman 20. Nathan Davis 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Nene Macdonald 5. David Mead 6. Tyrone Roberts 19. Ashley Taylor 16. Agnatius Paasi 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ryan James 11. Zeb Taia 12. Chris McQueen 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Luke Douglas 15. Leivaha Pulu 18. Lachlan Burr 17. Kierran Moseley

1. Cameron Munster 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 18. Ben Hampton 12. Tohu Harris 19. Cheyse Blair 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 15. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 16. Felise Kaufusi 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich 22. Christian Welch 10. Jordan McLean 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Referees: Grant Atkins, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Adam Reid, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bryan Norrie, Jared Maxwell, Luke Patten;