Two out of form sides meet in the final televised match from the Super League on Saturday when the Catalans Dragons take on the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in Perpignan. Both sides know that whatever happens here they will be in the Super 8s so they have a little bit of freedom for the next couple of weeks.
Catalans Dragons
Including the defeat to Hull FC, Catalans have now lost their last four matches and their promising start to the campaign is just in danger of derailing. They are still clinging on to fourth place in the table which will get them in the playoffs but they are starting to lose ground in the race for top spot.
Injuries haven’t helped Catalans over the last month or two and their defence which was so strong to begin with this season has been exposed because of that. Castleford took full advantage of that last week and if the Dragons are going to make Old Trafford they need to tighten up over the next eight weeks.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield are an amazing story this season. Having only secured their Super League status in the Million Pound Match last season to have made it into the Super 8s with matches to spare is a real achievement but their aim now should be to remain competitive and not fizzle out just because they will be in Super League next season.
The Wildcats have enjoyed plenty of success this season although they have lost five of their last six matches which might have come as a result of their success in the Challenge Cup where they will take on Warrington for a place at Wembley in a couple of weeks.
Team News
Catalans’ injuries are showing no signs of easing up. They do get Todd Carney back for this match but Richie Myler and Thomas Bosc are out injured and Jodie Broughton has failed a fitness test so he isn’t going to play either. Pat Richards returns to the squad.
Wakefield will be without Ben Jones-Bishop which is a bit of a blow but they do get plenty of power back in the form of Nick Scruton, Mickael Simon and Anthony Tupou but Danny Kirmond’s return has been put on hold for another week.
Betting
Considering they have lost their last four matches Catalans are very short to win this match. In a way that is understandable as they are the better side of the two but Wakefield showed at the Magic Weekend that doesn’t count for a whole lot.
Given that the match is in France I’m expecting Catalans to win but after the run of form they have been on they might just be happy to win rather than run up a cricket score and so the handicap looks a little big at 20pts.
The Dragons haven’t won a single home game by more than 20pts all year and only once have they really got close to that whereas while Wakefield lost last week they ran Wigan really close and have had an extra two days between matches which could also be significant at some point.
While I think Catalans will win this match, 20pts is just a few too many on the side of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and so I will take them with the start.
Tips
WON – Back Wakefield (+20) to beat Catalans for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
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