There is one match in the Super League on Friday night as another set of matches begins in what is a brutal current schedule for the stars of the English game. The game sees Leeds Rhinos hosting the Leigh Centurions in what is an important match for both sides.
Leeds sit third in the table but the teams behind them have closed in on them while Leigh are second from bottom and need the points to pull away from the threat of the Middle 8s.
Leeds Rhinos
It has been an up and down season for Leeds Rhinos so far. After a really poor start they then went on a run of form which moved them up level with the leaders but now they have hit a spell of inconsistency again which was highlighted perfectly when they lost to the Widnes Vikings on Bank Holiday Monday.
That defeat should serve as a wake up call should Leeds need one and certainly a reminder that they need to make sure they muscle up on defence if they are to win matches. That said it has been an insanely heavy schedule for these clubs so maybe some slack needs to be given to them. A win here will ease the pressure.
Leigh Centurions
After starting life back in the top flight reasonably well the Leigh Centurions have fallen away quite alarmingly it has to be said. They did pick up a win against an out of sorts Hull FC on Friday but were then no match for Castleford Tigers on Monday although it should be said few have been a match for them.
Leigh’s defence is starting to become a concern and given that they aren’t the free scoring side that they were in previous seasons that is not a good thing. They need to find ways to start restricting sides to 20pts or less and their chairman moaning about referees in public probably shows they are finding the going a little tough.
Team News
Leeds are set to have Danny Maguire and Carl Ablett back for this match. Keith Galloway could return too but Stevie Ward is suspended. Ash Golding and Brett Delaney are injured.
Leigh should be able to call on Harrison Hansen after the forward was forced to miss the Castleford defeat but they will be without Ben Crooks who is suspended. Curtis Naughton could come in.
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Betting
Leeds are being asked to cover an 18pt handicap in this match and while I understand why that is I’m not particularly keen on backing them to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest were they to cover it but off the back of a heavy schedule just winning will be the order of the night.
That said I’m not really sure I want to be backing Leigh Centurions to do anything right now. They look like a struggling side to me and if they fall behind early here there is a chance they will fall apart. Given the heavy workload both sides have had recently not betting on the match seems the sensible call.
Tips
No Bet
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