Another round of Super League matches begins on Thursday night although with the bottom four from last season involved in Challenge Cup ties this is a truncated set of fixtures.
With just the top eight from last year playing we have the cream of the crop on show this week and we kick off with a potential classic between St Helens and Catalans Dragons at Langtree Park.
St Helens
The up and down nature of St Helens’ season continued last week as they bounced back from a narrow defeat to Hull FC to knock off Warrington in a match which turned into a bit of an epic. They have a dominant record over Warrington though so it will be interesting to see if they can back that up in this match.
Saints have Lami Tasi back from a knee injury for this match but they remain without long term injury victims Adam Swift and Tommy Makinson. That leaves them light at the back but they have power in the pack although they will need all of that against the mite of Catalans. Morgan Knowles remains in the squad.
Catalans Dragons
The Dragons are on a real roll now. They went to Hull KR in good form last week and absolutely battered them and to do that without Todd Carney shows that the strength in depth of the French outfit is clearly there. They were ruthless and destructive and they’ll be a match for anyone on the evidence of that.
The bad news for St Helens is that Carney returns to the side for this match. He replaces Morgan Escare in the side while Remi Casty and Justin Horo come in for Antoni Maria and Stan Robin. Eloi Pelissier has picked up a two game ban so Thomas Bosc could fill in at hooker with Paul Aiton out injured.
Betting
I’m really looking forward to this match I have to say. This could turn into a classic if the St Helens of last week show up. You get the feeling now that Catalans really mean business this season but this could be their acid test too so this is perfectly set up.
I can’t go against Catalans here though. Injuries are hitting St Helens hard and in the wide areas especially they look like they can be exposed and I’m not so sure they have the advantage down the middle that they have against some other sides.
This Catalans back line looks and is frightening as Hull KR can testify but it isn’t all about the Todd Carney’s, Pat Richards’ and Ritchie Myler’s of this world. You look in their pack and Glenn Stewart and Dave Taylor already look like potential signings of the season. Their quality with the ball in hand and the exciting talent of the back line gives the Dragons the potential to really take it to St Helens. I’m backing Catalans Dragons here.
Tips
WON – Back Catalans Dragons to beat St Helens for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with 138bet
Back them here:
