The opening day of the Super League Magic Weekend closes with the pick of the matches on paper as Leeds Rhinos take on the Wigan Warriors at St James’ Park in Newcastle. When the season began most judges were feeling this could be a key match in the playoff picture but that isn’t the case.
Leeds Rhinos
The chief reason for that has been the wretched form of the Leeds Rhinos and if they lose another match or two in the near future they can probably prepare themselves for the Middle 8s which is not the way they will have wanted their title defence to go.
We know all about Leeds’ injuries and off field issues but the worrying thing this deep into the season is that there seems to be absolutely no sign of improvement and that is a huge concern. It is unthinkable that Leeds could lose their Super League status but with each week that passes that chance gets stronger. This is a big game for them.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan have been hit and miss this season themselves. Not as much as Leeds have been but even so there have been some very un-Wigan like performances which will have concerned and disappointed Shaun Wane.
One of their more worrying performances came against Hull FC last week when they were run ragged at times. All the talk was of Sam Tomkins’ return but really that return was overshadowed by a wonderful Hull FC performance. Wane will be expecting his defence to stand up and be counted here.
Team news
Leeds still have injuries although they do have Brett Delaney and Beau Falloon back for this match which is a positive at least. Ryan Hall, Joel Moon and Tom Briscoe are all still on the sidelines which is less than ideal.
Wigan have added Ben Flower and Greg Burke to their squad for the Magic Weekend which suggests that they think this match will be won in the forwards. If Wigan’s forwards can get on top Sam Tomkins has the perfect stage to shine on.
Betting
We are used to these two sides standing up and being counted in the really big matches on the biggest stages but with both coming into the match off the back of large defeats I just wonder whether they will be able to be at their best here.
Leeds have definitely slackened this season. They offered little fight to Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup, a competition they are always competitive in historically, and their meek surrender to Castleford last week spoke huge volumes and even with an eight point start I can’t be backing them here.
These two met at the DW Stadium earlier in the season and Wigan Warriors blew Leeds away 28-6 and if anything Leeds have got worse since then and Wigan, in personnel terms at least, have got stronger. Although Wigan’s defeat last week wasn’t good it was at least to a rampant Hull FC side so there were excuses for it.
I think they are the more settled of the two and in a better place all told and so I’m going to chance that they win this and pile more misery on a Leeds defence which has shipped 118pts in its last three Super League matches.
Tips
WON – Back Wigan to win by 13 or more for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with 888sport
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