After the relative sparse week in Super League last weekend the competition returns to full capacity now and it does so with two matches on Thursday night, one in front of the TV cameras and one not.
While two Super League matches were going on over the course of Sunday, three Super League sides were getting demolished by NRL clubs. Those teams are likely to want blood this week.
Wigan vs Salford
One of those clubs play in the match which isn’t televised as Wigan host Salford. Wigan will be smarting from their defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in a match they knew they were nowhere near good enough.
One of the reasons why they were so poor was the unfortunate long term injury suffered by Michael McIlorum, an injury which will keep him out for many months. He isn’t the only injury Wigan have either. In fact they are really beginning to mount up now. Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley and Willie Isa are just three of the big names sidelined.
Salford played on Sunday but they won against Widnes so their legs might not have felt quite so heavy coming off the field as Wigan’s have done and that could be illustrated in the fact that the Red Devils’ coach has only made one change to his squad.
Robert Lui is already looking a real find for Salford while Michael Dobson is still as good a scrum half as you’ll find in this competition. With the likes of Justin Carney, Gareth O’Brien and Junior Sa’u in the back line Salford suddenly look competitive in that area. They are competitive enough in the forwards too.
I think Salford offer a little bit of value in this match with Wigan’s injuries. I don’t think the Red Devils can ever truly play with freedom but they should have nothing to lose here and I fancy Wigan’s legs might be heavy after Saturday night. Wigan may still win but the value is in Salford with the handicap.
Hull FC vs Castleford
The TV cameras head to the KC Stadium for what should be an entertaining Yorkshire derby between two sides who will be good to watch this season in Hull FC and Castleford.
Castleford have been knocking down the top four for the last couple of seasons and their aim is to make it into that elite again this season too but that is exactly what Hull FC have laid down a marker to achieve so both sides will be eager to win this given that they could be competing with each other for that spot come the end of the season.
Credit is due to Hull FC who have really begun the season well. They have thrashed Salford in their opening match of the season and then went to France and convincingly beat the Catalans Dragons and that is never an easy thing to do. Their forwards have dominated so far and Feluti Talanoa has begun the season in fine form.
Castleford kicked off the season with a draw in heavy conditions at the other Hull side before overpowering Wakefield two weeks ago but they suffered the blow of losing their captain Michael Shenton for the season in their first game. They coped pretty well without him against Wakefield but the Wildcats hadn’t shown up to that point.
This will be a good test of Castleford’s credentials this season and while I think Hull FC will win this match I do think the Tigers will give them a game. In Luke Gale and Ben Roberts they have a good half back pairing and they are strong across the back with solid, mobile forwards who get through plenty of work.
On paper these look like two fairly evenly matched sides. With home advantage and solid form behind them I fancy the Black and Whites to win here but two scores is a lot to cover. Castleford can protect that start right to the end.
WON – Back Salford (+10) to beat Wigan for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
Back them here:
WON – Back Castleford (+12) to beat Hull FC for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
