The opening set of the Super 8s part of the Super League season continues on Saturday afternoon with three more matches across both the top flights on the busiest day of matches so far since the split.
All eyes will be on the one main Super League match but the two qualifying matches could steal the thunder particularly with the pressure all on Leeds as they look to retain their Super League status.
Catalans Dragons vs Widnes Vikings
This is a much bigger game for the Catalans Dragons than it is for the Widnes Vikings. Catalans have seen Hull FC and Warrington slip up above them already this weekend so they can get themselves right back into the mix at the top end of the table with a win here. Widnes have secured their Super League status but that is pretty much all they will get out of this season.
Catalans are in absolutely horrible form going into this match. They have now lost their last five matches in all competitions so they will have needed the week off last week to reassess and work out where they need to improve and to go again. The likes of Paul Aiton, Thomas Bosc, Greg Mounis and Louis Anderson are expected to return here which will be important.
Widnes have struggled for consistency in the second half of the season having kicked off the campaign in fine form but they can play with a bit of freedom now knowing they are just playing out time on the campaign. Rhys Hansbury is back from injury which is very much a positive.
You don’t have to go back too far to see the last time these two met as it was just two weeks ago when Widnes won 32-4 in Widnes. Both have had time off since then to reassess and go again and that might be just what Catalans needed but I can’t be backing them here.
I’m not sure I can back Widnes Vikings to win this match outright but a 14pt start seems quite big considering they have just beaten Catalans by 28pts in their last match. Catalans haven’t been as strong at home this season as they usually are so that offers further encouragement. I think 14pts is a few too many so I’ll go with the Vikings here.
Super 8 – Qualifier Matches
There are two matches in the qualifiers. Featherstone vs Leeds Rhinos is on the television while Leigh vs London features two sides who will be hoping to nick a spot in Super League off one of the established sides.
Leeds are overwhelming favourites which is fair enough but this is just about winning rather than going mad running up huge scores so I’m not taking them on any handicap or taking them on. The other match looks tighter on paper but I would fancy Leigh if I was taking either. I’m not though. I’ll stick with Widnes.
Tips
Back Widnes (+14) to beat Catalans Dragons for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
