Two of the most exciting teams in Super League meet in France on Saturday evening when the Catalans Dragons host the Leeds Rhinos in what is a huge match for the visitors.
The Dragons go into the match knowing their fate for the season. They can’t make the playoffs. Leeds will be in the playoffs but saw Wigan draw level with them in the table on Friday night so they will want to win here to restore their 2pt gap at the top with two matches left.
Catalans could be very dangerous to Leeds in this match. They have nothing to lose so they can be expansive, can throw the ball around and we’ve seen in the past that they are capable of causing problems when they play with a carefree attitude.
In fairness Leeds have played like that all year so I think we’re set for an absolute belter here. Leeds were beaten by St Helens last week though and that will have annoyed them and they will want to respond to that defeat by winning here.
Catalans will be without Ben Pomeroy for this match as he is serving a suspension. Louis Anderson is also suspended and Thibaut Margalet is injured but Scott Dureau, Todd Carney and Morgan Escare are all in situ and Gregory Mounis returns so the Dragons still have quality personnel.
Zak Hardaker missed the defeat to St Helens last week but he is back in the side here and that is a significant gain for the Rhinos. Kallum Watkins and Rob Burrow are both on the sidelines with injury and that isn’t ideal for Leeds so their depth will be tested here.
It is never easy to go to France and win let alone win by more than two scores so I like the Dragons with the eight point start they are getting. Only two sides have won in France this season and Wigan have been there and been beaten and Saints have been there twice and lost. Admittedly Leeds have been there and turned the Dragons over but I’m not sure Leeds are as strong for this one so I’ll side with the Dragons with the start.
Given how I think Catalans will approach this game with an attitude to entertain and throw the ball around and play I think we’re going to see a lot of points in this match. Leeds can compete in the entertaining rugby stakes themselves so this one could light up very quickly. I’m not sure a 50.5pt line is high enough so I’ll go over that line.
Back Catalans (+8) to beat Leeds for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Bet365
Back Over 50.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Paddy Power
Blog RL YTD: +2.73pts
