The baulk of the latest round of Super League matches takes place on Friday evening with three more matches as we enter the second half of the regular season. As ever there is a televised match and then two other matches away from the cameras.
Huddersfield Giants vs Leeds Rhinos
The televised action sees two of last year’s top three in action but in a strange twist of fate these two go into this one rooted in the bottom three and were it not for Salford’s point deduction they would be the bottom two. Usually these two great clubs would be eyeing up the playoffs but the loser here can get themselves ready for the Middle 8s at the end of the season which is pretty amazing.
Huddersfield have got nothing going at all this season and even with a win here are probably resigned to having no chance of making the playoffs but they have perked up a little recently. They beat Warrington a couple of weeks ago and gave Wigan a good run for their money. Ryan Brierley’s signing has been key.
Leeds have also found the going tough this season. They lost a high scoring game at St Helens last week and their defence has been their problem throughout the campaign. Injuries have been a massive reason for that as well as other well documented issues and those problems still exist here as they are without a stack of big players.
As a result of Leeds’ injuries being made public Huddersfield have shortened dramatically and are six point favourites for this game. I make them favourites for the game but they’re not used to winning and it might be that this one gets a little tight given their lack of wins so that handicap is just about big enough to put me off a bet.
Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons
This one should be the match of the night as the prolific Catalans Dragons take on their bogey side Hull FC at the KC Stadium. Both sides are riding high in the table and both will have more than half an eye on the playoffs from the position they are in.
Hull have won four of their last five although it could be a slight concern that the one they lost came against a poor Leeds side but even so they are in good touch. They’ll have to do without their captain Gareth Ellis here as he is suspended but Steve Michaels is back in the side after sitting out last week’s win.
Catalans are going from strength to strength at the minute having won nine of their last 10 matches and they are starting to look a bit of a machine having put up 30pts or more in each of their last three. They are set to be without Todd Carney for this match which is a blow but Thomas Bosc is an able deputy. Krishnan Inu has been ruled out for the season.
The Carney news has seen the Dragons drift a little bit here but I’m more than happy to take them at the price. I think Ellis is a key loss to the Hull FC side. He inspires them and leads them into battle and they have shown at times this season that they can be a bit sloppy when he isn’t around. Carney’s absence is a blow of that there is no doubt but at the prices I still think Catalans Dragons are worth a go here.
Widnes Vikings vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
A side on the up meet a side on the downturn here as Wakefield, in fantastic form going into the match, head to a Widnes side who have completely lost their form in recent weeks.
Widnes were blazing a strong trail at the start of the season but the wheels have completely come off the wagon since Easter. They’ve lost their last five matches in the Super League and while they had some solace in a cup win over Rochdale they look in a slump. To make matters worse Kevin Brown is out of this match with injury and you would think to come out of this loss of form they will need their talisman.
Defeat at Hull FC last week ended a run of five wins in a row in all competitions for the Wildcats but Hull FC are a strong side going a lot better than this Widnes one so Wakefield have the chance to get straight back on the horse in this match. Stuart Howarth and Richie Owen come back into the side for Chris Chester’s men.
I like Wakefield Trinity Wildcats here. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they win this match but given that they are away and going into the game off the back of a defeat I’ll err on the side of safety and take them with a ten point start which looks very big given Widnes’ recent form especially with the home side without Kevin Brown.
Tips
Back Catalans Dragons to beat Hull FC for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with Bet365
Back them here:
WON – Back Wakefield (+10) to beat Widnes for a 5/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
