The Super League continues with one match on Saturday as we get a bonus match on the TV with the Catalans Dragons being at home. The French side are at home to St Helens with both sides eager for the two points to really kick their season into life.
Catalans Dragons
The Dragons began the season fairly well with wins over Warrington and Hull FC but it has gone a little pear shaped since then and so they could do with a positive result here to get back on track. One area where they will need to stand up and be counted is defensively as they’ve been opened up recently.
Things were actually going quite well for the Dragons until the halfway mark of their last home game but then they surrendered a 14-0 lead against the Widnes Vikings and then they got walloped by a poor Leeds side last week with Leeds running up more than 40pts which is a real concern given the attacking struggles of the Rhinos.
St Helens
When St Helens beat Leeds on the opening night of the season people were already wondering if this would be their year but since then they have struggled badly and now people are wondering if they will even make the top eight. They have been written off a little early but if they don’t find some form soon then the Middle 8s could become real. They only have to ask Leeds for confirmation of that.
It won’t take anyone connected with St Helens too long to work out where their issues lie this season. They have only scored 48pts in total in their four matches so maybe it is no surprise that they have lost their last three. There were however signs that they were coming back to life at Hull last week even in defeat.
Team News
Catalans Dragons will bring some players into their squad for this one including Krisnan Inu who missed last week’s defeat through injury. Sam Moa and Fouad Yaha are among the others returning.
St Helens will be pleased to have Alex Walmsley available after he escaped a suspension. He goes into an unchanged squad for the match although there could be a tweak or two to the set up.
Betting
I’m not expecting this to be a classic in truth. I think both sides will play down the middle and the pack that wilts first will probably lose but I don’t think St Helens will mind that because right now their strength is very much down the middle. They don’t need this turning into a half back battle or a match up in the three quarters.
The more physical this gets the better it will suit St Helens I think. The Dragons reverted to type last weekend when they got smashed at Leeds with penalties galore conceded and that is always a concern. St Helens played probably their best stuff of the season last week. Defensively there are no issues but their attack looked more cohesive and a repeat of that might just be enough to win a match they simply can’t afford to lose.
Tips
WON – Back St Helens to beat Catalans Dragons for a 3/10 stake at 2.80 with Winner Sports
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