The Super League XXIX season returns after the break for the Challenge Cup on Friday night and it does so with half of the competition in action as we begin to see the league table sort itself out as we head towards the middle stage of the campaign.
As is the case throughout this season, all three matches will be live on the TV for us to enjoy, although with them all kicking off at the same time you will need more than one device to follow all of the games.
Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants (20.00 – Sky Sports Action)
The match with the full TV coverage comes from Headingley where the Leeds Rhinos will look to get their season back on track when they go up against the Huddersfield Giants, who will be quietly happy with their form heading across Yorkshire.
Leeds go into the match with just one win in their last four matches, although it has to be said that their three losses were to St Helens twice and Warrington with the win in that time coming against the Castleford Tigers, which isn’t a fantastic form guide. The Rhinos do have the luxury of having had last week off though. Huddersfield were in Challenge Cup action last week where they went to France and destroyed the Catalans Dragons, which was a stand up and take notice result. That was their four win in succession, although critics will argue that the previous three wins were against Hull FC twice and London Broncos. Huddersfield have only lost at Wigan on their travels this season though and generally they are competitive against Leeds. They won their last meeting, lost 54-0 in the one prior to that and then the eight games before that Huddersfield either won or were within six points of the Rhinos on each occasion. I don’t think this is a great Leeds team at the minute and they are missing big players in Ash Handley, James Bentley and Tom Holroyd for this one while Huddersfield are close to full strength and in good form. I think the value is with the visitors here.
Special Offer
OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH 888SPORT AND BET £10 TO GET £30 IN FREE BETS PLUS A £10 CASINO BONUS! PERFECT OFFER TO USE ON THE SUPER LEAGUE! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO JOIN. USE CODE 30F. NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY. 18+ T&Cs apply (See image for significant terms). Gamble Aware.
St Helens vs Hull FC (20.00 – Sky Sports Mix)
One of the matches with the basic TV coverage comes from the Totally Wicked Stadium where St Helens will look to bounce back from their exit in the Challenge Cup last week when they host a Hull FC side who are in a right mess.
This will be the first game for Hull FC since they sacked Tony Smith and since then Tex Hoy and Fa’amanu Brown have been released from their contracts so all is not right at the MKM Stadium. You would imagine this one is all about St Helens and I expect them to win this and win it well but they are going to be without Alex Walmsley for this one and they looked pretty flat and devoid of ideas the longer the cup tie with Warrington went last week. They have only had a short turnaround from that game to this one too which could see the Saints ease off the pace when in front late on. That puts me off getting involved in a handicap but I can’t be having anything to do with Hull FC so I’ll sit this one out.
Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers (20.00 – Sky Sports Arena)
The other match on Friday evening comes from the DW Stadium where the champions Wigan Warriors will be looking to push on after a win in the Challenge Cup last week when they take on the team they beat to reach the semi-finals of that competition in the Castleford Tigers.
Wigan won that match 60-6, having beaten the Tigers 32-4 on the opening weekend of the Super League season. In fact, Wigan have won the last four meetings between the two to a cumulative score of 176-16 which highlights the size of the task for the Tigers, who will be missing Sylvester Namo after his role in the dislocation of the ankle of Willie Isa in that cup clash. Whichever way you look at this one an emphatic home win jumps out at us but on a five-day turnaround and some indifferent weather during the game I’m not sure I can bring myself to back Wigan to cover 38 points. That recent record is more than enough to sway me from getting involved in Castleford so this is another one to leave alone.
Tips
Back Huddersfield Giants to beat Leeds Rhinos for a 3/10 stake at 2.30 with Spreadex
