There are two matches in the Super League on Friday night with a repeat of the Grand Final from last year in front of the TV cameras and one other match away from the spotlight of the television.
The TV match sees Wigan looking to restore top spot when they travel to a Leeds side who know they won’t be anywhere near Old Trafford while in the other match Widnes take on Salford with one side looking to gear up for the Super 8s and the other knowing they will be in the Middle 8s.
Leeds vs Wigan
Leeds head into this match knowing their season is all about finding four wins in the Middle 8s but they can still spoil a party or two before they go as they showed Hull FC last week when they went there and won. Wigan are on a run of eight successive wins in all competitions and are looking very good at the minute.
Leeds’ poor form was largely down to injuries earlier in the season but they have players back and they have also got their training ground back too after it was damaged for a long period which meant their daily routine was affected. It is no surprise that their results have picked up since they returned to their regular base.
Wigan are now the side fighting injuries with Joel Tomkins and Liam Farrell both out while Sean O’Loughlin and John Bateman are both suspended, one officially and the other internally. If that isn’t bad enough Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley and Dan Sarginson all face fitness tests and may miss the match.
Leeds haven’t been able to be considered good things many times this season and good things might be pushing it here but I do think they have it in them to win this match. Wigan are never the same side without Sean O’Loughlin but if they end up missing Sam Tomkins too that will be a real blow. As I said last week Leeds have a couple of free matches now and can use that to their advantage here.
Widnes vs Salford
Two sides who have struggled for consistency meet in the other match of the night when Widnes take on Salford. If I was pushed for a bet here I would take Widnes but I’m not pushed and there are matches to come so it makes sense to leave a match between two sides who are more hit and miss than most alone.
Tips
WON – Back Leeds to beat Wigan for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
