The bulk of fixtures in the penultimate round of the Super League season prior to the split takes place on Friday night when eight sides look to enhance their claims for what is to come for them over the next couple of months.
As ever on a Friday night we have a live match on TV and the other matches will be updated in the coverage or there are other means to follow them. We’ll begin our preview with the TV match.
Castleford Tigers vs Salford Red Devils
The leaders Castleford Tigers take on third placed Salford Red Devils in a match which pits the two surprise packages of the season against each other in what could be something of a classic contest.
Castleford have been brilliant this season and head into this match off the back of ten successive wins in the Super League but Salford have had their moments too and are dangerous for anyone so this one is nicely poised.
Salford being without Junior Sa’u isn’t ideal but of those ten wins Castleford have had recently only two of the last nine have been by more than two converted tries. Salford have points in them especially on the road and so the 14pt start they are getting could be a few too many.
Huddersfield Giants vs Leigh Centurions
Possibly the lowest key match of the evening comes from the John Smith’s Stadium but Huddersfield Giants won’t see it that way. They have the chance to secure their Super League status with a win in this match. Leigh Centurions know that come what may they will be in the qualifiers once the split happens.
I would expect Huddersfield to win this match but the fact they only need to win and not go mad makes me reluctant to take a handicap or anything. I’ll sit this one out on a night where other bets appear much easier.
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC
The other two sides in the top four collide at Headingley when the Leeds Rhinos face Hull FC in a match which could very well be the Grand Final in three months time.
Both sides had different results last week. Leeds pummelled Salford which was a fantastic result while Hull FC were losing to St Helens and worse for them in that match was that they lost Albert Kelly to injury and he will be a big loss.
Leeds are without Kallum Watkins for this match which isn’t ideal but I think they can cope without him more than Hull can without Kelly so I’m with the home side to keep up their excellent record on this opposition here.
Widnes Vikings vs Wakefield Trinity
Two sides who know they will be in different sections of the Super League when the split takes place meet on Friday night when the Widnes Vikings host the Wakefield Trinity.
Widnes go in search of a fourth straight home win here but more importantly some momentum to take into the qualifiers with them while Wakefield will be looking to come out of a slump which has seen them lose four of their last five matches including to Castleford last week.
Widnes is never an easy place to go let alone for a side who have hit a wall especially one who have hit that obstacle for the second season in a row. Rangi Chase is back for the Vikings here and his influence combined with Widnes’ home form leads me to think they are worth backing.
Tips
Back Salford (+14) to beat Castleford for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betbright
Back them here:
WON – Back Leeds (-2) to beat Hull FC for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Back Widnes to beat Wakefield for a 4/10 stake at 2.40 with Boylesports
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
