There are two Super League matches taking place on Friday night with St Helens hosting Wakefield away from the cameras but quite rightly the TV coverage focuses on the Grand Final repeat as Wigan host Leeds at the DW Stadium.
St Helens vs Wakefield
Wakefield are in all sorts of turmoil at the minute. They have just one win to their name in Super League and already they look like they’re going to have to fight it out in the middle 8s to retain their status with the elite. Add to that their coach Brian Smith walked out earlier in the week and that part of Yorkshire isn’t the place to be right now.
St Helens took a few weeks to get up to speed this season but they look like they are just about there now. They have had encouraging wins over Hull KR and Castleford in the last couple of weeks although they still don’t look as strong as they would like defensively which is something they need to sort out.
I’m sure Saints will win the game and while they are improving I still don’t really want to back them especially with the handicap being so big at 22pts. I can’t be backing Wakefield with any certainty but the Wildcats got me with a back door cover when I took them on a couple of weeks ago so I’ll sit this one out.
Wigan vs Leeds
If both were at full strength in this match it would have the makings of a great game but injuries are a big feature in both teams at the minute which might dampen both the spectacle and the competitiveness of it.
Wigan are notoriously strong at home. You have to go back to 2014 for the last time they lost at the DW Stadium in Super League and that will give them plenty of confidence here. Sean O’Loughlin is back after missing the narrow win over Hull FC last week and that is another positive. Shaun Wane makes one change to his squad with Lewis Tierney rested.
Leeds have been ravaged by injury all season and now they have lost Joel Moon and that could be significant. Carl Ablett returns from injury to take Moon’s place but while Ablett is competent in the centres he isn’t as potent as Moon. Brett Delaney is also out along with longer term victims Tom Briscoe and Danny Maguire. Ash Handley is a doubt but Mitch Garbutt returns from suspension.
The handicap in this match is eight points which I fancy Wigan to cover but although they’ve won all four of their matches this season they’ve yet to win one by more than six points so there is a bit of a trappy look about that handicap.
Wigan’s attack has been an issue while Wane was clearly not happy with his side’s defending last week hence his switch at full back for this game. That switch might help the attack but I’d like to see it first.
All that said Wigan are strong here and Leeds are battered by injuries so however many points they do it by I fancy Wigan to win. The Warriors are notorious for starting fast at home and I’m hoping that quick start converts into a half-time lead which they still have at the final hooter.
WON – Back Wigan HT/Wigan FT for a 4/10 stake at 1.90 with Bet365
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