The latest round of Super League matches draw to a close on Friday night. There were meant to be five matches on a packed night of action but bad weather and a dodgy forecast has put paid to the Wigan vs Widnes match which was meant to be the TV game***.
Thankfully four matches still go ahead and Sky have been quick enough to get themselves sorted and set up for another TV game which is the match we will begin the preview with.
Warrington Wolves vs Castleford Tigers
Warrington head into this match off the back of that excellent night against the Brisbane Broncos last weekend but they’ll be looking for their first Super League win of the season after they lost their opening match to the Catalans Dragons. Castleford Tigers are after back to back wins after destroying Leigh in their first match which adds to the intrigue here.
Warrington were the scintillating side I expected them to be this season when I took them to win the competition before a ball was kicked in their win over Brisbane Broncos last weekend. Kevin Brown was magnificent as were the whole team but the question mark is what that took out of them.
Castleford had their feet up watching last week so have had two full weeks to prepare for this match and make sure everybody is fit and firing which they already were anyway based on that win over Leigh in their first match. The Tigers will be without Paul McShane for this game as he serves a suspension.
There will be points in this match. That is a given based on the quality of the two attacks but when the end comes here I fancy Castleford might just edge this one. I can’t believe that Warrington won’t be feeling some sort of effects from Saturday night and that gives Castleford enough of an edge to make them the value at 15/8.
Huddersfield Giants vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Two sides who lost their last match do battle at the John Smith’s Stadium when Huddersfield host Wakefield. I’ve gone on record as saying I don’t rate Huddersfield much this season but I’m not sure I have much more faith in Wakefield I have to say.
Wakefield are tempting me at the prices especially with a couple of former Giants players returning to their old ground for the first time but I’m not sure I can have enough faith in either of these to warrant betting on either so I’ll sit this one out.
Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils
Two sides who picked up much needed wins last week look to back that up when the Leeds Rhinos host the Salford Red Devils at Headingley. Both won in different ways last week. Salford were good value for their win at Huddersfield while Leeds fell over the line at Leigh.
Based on those wins you would have Salford down to go well in this match and the lack of spark in Leeds’ attacking play so far this season would add to that but at the same time this is the first home game of the campaign for the Rhinos and they are generally hard to beat here. I’ve a gut feeling that 10pts is too many for Salford to receive but it isn’t a strong enough one to bet with.
Leigh Centurions vs St Helens
Leigh have played two and lost them both in their first season back in Super League so far while St Helens narrowly won their only match of the season and will be looking to build on that.
At their best these two have the potential to be two of the better attacking sides in the competition but it is their defences which will determine the different ends of the table they are likely to end up in.
I fancy St Helens to win this match and I’ve a feeling Leeds made Leigh look better than they are last week but it looked like Saints were missing Matty Smith a lot in their opening match so I would rather watch and see what they can do in this one rather than guessing what they have. I’m tempted by Saints especially given that they had last week off but there isn’t much in the way of margin on the handicap so I’ll sit this out too.
***Wigan vs Widnes has since been rearranged to take place at Widnes. The hectic nature of the turnaround and dynamic means there is no time to preview the new game.
Tips
WON – Back Castleford Tigers to beat Warrington Wolves for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Betfair
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