It is do or die time for the Leigh Centurions on Saturday afternoon when they host the Bradford Bulls at the Leigh Sports Village in a vital match in the qualifiers series.
Leigh were widely expected to cruise their way into Super League next season after dominating the Championship earlier in the campaign but it hasn’t worked out that way and a defeat here will end their hopes for another year.
Bradford go into the match knowing a win here will ensure they are in the million pound match at the very least and that is an incentive they will be looking to take advantage of.
Whether it has been weight of expectation, injuries or just lethargy after a long season which has got hold of Leigh at the wrong time I’m not sure but they’ve shown when they hosted Sheffield here a few weeks ago that they are still a class above most in the Championship and they have a 36-24 win over Bradford here from earlier in the campaign.
Bradford have shown positive signs in this qualifiers section of the season but they go into this match off the back of two heavy defeats, albeit to Super League sides, and that is a run they will need to halt here else they will go into next week needing to win to keep their season alive.
Leigh will be able to call upon Gareth Haggerty after he has served a suspension and winger Adam Higson is back from injury. The likes of Fuifui Moimoi, Bob Beswick, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock and Ryan Brierley all need to step up for the Centurions here.
Bradford are likely to be without their half back Lee Gaskell which isn’t ideal for them. They have some big names capable of stepping up themselves but it is in defence where they need to sort themselves out.
I think we have to go into this match assuming we will see the best of Leigh. They’ve had a bit of a chip on their shoulder recently about decisions and things and Bradford could face a backlash from that.
If we do see Leigh at their best, and given that their season is over if we don’t and they lose, then I think they’ll be more than two points better than Bradford. I’d be giving Bradford a try at least if I was creating lines so I’m happy to take Leigh to cover two here.
In the other match on Saturday Wakefield host Halifax. Halifax have been competitive at times, woeful at others. You could say the same about Wakefield in fairness. I think Wakefield will win the game but covering large handicaps is no longer the priority so I’ll stick with a bet on Leigh.
Back Leigh (-2) to beat Bradford for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
Blog RL YTD: +20.99pts
