Rugby League / Editor / 12 September 2007 / Leave a comment

Friday's engage Super League Grand Final eliminator between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors should provide rugby league punters with as much entertainment as it will betting opportunities.

The cross-Pennines rivalry will ensure a vociferous Headingley Carnegie Stadium for what should be a tin helmets encounter between two of the game's powerhouses who always prove popular for fans wanting a bet.

Brian Noble's cherry and whites have upset the odds to come through two bruising and nerve-wrecking play-off encounters on their travels - against Bradford and Hull - to set up Friday's showdown.

And they will be looking to reward their loyal band of followers in the betting when they face the Rhinos in another potentially bruising match on the road, although they must do so without former Leeds winger Mark Calderwood who broke his ankle against Hull which could be reflected in their odds.

Noble has hailed his players' "desire and effort" in the run-in but has warned "we have just got be a bit smarter" as Wigan look to land the bets and secure their fifth Grand Final appearance.

The Warriors defied the odds to book the final play-off place in their last game of the regular season against St Helens and, having also overcome a four-point penalty deduction for breaking the salary cap, appear to have the betting omens in their favour.

Punters fancying a bet will also note that Wigan have already beaten Tony Smith's men three times in all competitions this season.

Leeds finished the campaign three points behind minor champions St Helens but lost an alarming five times in all competitions on home soil and will have to be at their best to land the bets and thwart the Wigan express.

The betting is sure to be close for what could be another see-saw tussle and this will be reflected in the odds but Leeds, who narrowly lost to Saints in their only play-off game, a brutal 10-8 clash at Knowsley Road, could start as marginal favourites.