The second round of Super League concludes on Sunday with the final three matches of the weekend and on the face of it there could be a couple of one sided matches if the handicaps are anything to go by.
It has already been a dramatic weekend of action with Hull FC and Wigan moving to the top of the table and Salford given St Helens a right old beating and now the likes of Warrington and Widnes will be looking to keep up their 100% starts to the campaign.
Warrington host Hull KR and are giving up 20pts to the visitors which looks a little big for this stage of the season but at the same time I’m not sure I fancy Hull KR too much. If pushed I’d probably take Rovers with that start but I’ve no strong feel either way.
There is a Yorkshire derby on Sunday too as Castleford look to get their first win of the season when they host Wakefield. The Tigers will be without their captain Michael Shenton and he is a big loss usually so I’m put off backing the home side to give up 14. I’ve seen little from Wakefield to suggest they should be taken to cover that themselves though so again that is a no bet match.
I’m surprised Widnes are giving up eight points to Leeds I must say. If Leeds were at full strength maybe I could understand it but they’re not and for a few weeks until they have adjusted to the absence of Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock they were never going to be anyway.
Things for worse for the Rhinos last week with Danny Maguire picking up an injury which will keep him out for a while so in the key areas this is starting to look a very inexperienced Rhinos side.
Widnes usually have a good record on their own park with the artificial pitch very much in their favour. It slows down the work rate of the opposition forwards and allows their explosive players the extra time to do their business.
Widnes started the season well last week and in Kevin Brown they have someone to lead them around the paddock and provide the quality to open Leeds up. Widnes usually put up a few points on this ground and while I’m not sure if they’ll go on and win the game, those points can keep them within eight points of the Rhinos who understandably struggled a bit last week.
WON – Back Widnes (+7.5) to beat Leeds for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
