The start to the new Super 8s in Super League has been brilliant but for me the real competition over the next seven weeks is the battle for the last four Super League places next season which will come from the Middle 8s.
The top three in the Middle 8s after the seven matches will automatically qualify for Super League next season so for the four sides who have their status on the line the stakes couldn’t be any higher.
One of those begins the new section on Saturday afternoon in the shape of Hull KR. They head to Leigh to take on a Leigh Centurions side who have already wrapped up the Championship title in fine style and who haven’t lost on their home patch for 31 matches stretching back two years.
To say this will be a tough ask for Hull KR would be an understatement but nevertheless they start the match as the 4/7 favourites. They will be on a high after seeing off Warrington in the Challenge Cup semi-final and have a Wembley trip to look forward to in three weeks but this is arguably more important.
While Hull KR were pushing every muscle to get past Warrington, Leigh had their feet up waiting for Hull KR to turn up for this match. We saw Warrington tire badly and look jaded on Friday night so Hull KR are likely to be similarly shattered which adds to their troubles going into this match.
We’ve already seen Leigh dump Wakefield and Salford out of the Challenge Cup this season so facing Super League sides hold no fear for them. In Ryan Brierley they have a high quality player who is likely to be playing in the top flight next season whether Leigh are there or not but with the quality Gareth Hock, Oliver Wilkes, Fuifui Moimoi and Mickey Higham bring to their forward pack and the ruck this Leigh side really are ready for Super League already.
Hull KR will have their work cut out here and it goes without saying that they will need Albert Kelly at his mercurial best. He very much was last week but he’s carrying an injury so backing that effort up could be tough. Kieran Dixon will be a danger to the Leigh side with his pace as will Josh Mantellato on the wing.
With just seven matches in this Middle 8s both sides have to get off to a fast start so we can expect this one to be played at playoff intensity but I think with home advantage and the week off they had last week not to mention their record this season and the winning momentum they have Leigh just about have enough to get the job done here. I’ll take them to beat a potentially tired Hull KR side.
Back Leigh to beat Hull KR for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with Ladbrokes
Blog RL YTD: -0.22pts
