Super League Betting: Champions boosted by Webb's return for key clash

Rugby League / George Riley / 12 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

As predicted, Wigan thumped a woefully out of sorts Bradford last weekend and now, as they head across the Pennines to face the Super League champions, George Riley wonders if the Warriors' winning run will continue...

Friday night's televised fixture sees Leeds Rhinos bid to make it five wins from five at the top.

We tipped both Leeds and Wigan victories last week in what was another profitable showing for this column. The away wins for high-flying Hull FC at Huddersfield and for Harlequins at Salford were two more highlights, while St Helens also obliged away from home, albeit in a bizarrely low-scoring 4-0 victory at the Celtic Crusaders.

So we nailed five out of the seven fixtures in round four, and Leeds should kick-start round five with a victory over resurgent Wigan. The return of New Zealand full-back Brent Webb is key. Ironically Webb's last game for Leeds was the Grand Final eliminator victory over Wigan at Headingley last September. A back injury forced him out of the World Cup and he hasn't been seen on the pitch since. His return will allow Lee Smith to move to centre to cover for the injured Keith Senior.

Wigan will be unchanged as they bid to make it three wins from three, and aside from that play-off defeat last season, Brian Noble has an excellent record as Wigan coach at Headingley. The Warriors have won their last three regular season games here, they will be unchanged, and this should make for a tight game but I can't see past the champions at [1.31].

St Helens haven't clicked yet this season, but a home game against Salford should get the scoreboard ticking again. The City Reds are unbelievable value at [7.0] with Betfair to score a shock win at a Saints side who will be without international forwards Tony Puletua, Lee Gilmour and Maurie Fa'asavalu. It won't happen though, Saints should romp games like this and will have had their pride dented by only winning 4-0 in Bridgend. Salford have big problems with goalkicker John Wilshere, former Saint Willie Talau, Paul White, Richie Myler and Dean McGilvray all out. I'd lay Saints in this fixture, it is a game that Salford simply cannot win.

Castleford's stunning victory at the Catalans Dragons has seen Terry Matterson's Tigers up to the lofty heights of third in Super League. I fancied them at the start of the season, and I fancy another Castleford victory in Saturday evening's TV game against a much-improved Huddersfield who are yet to lose away.

The Giants will miss the injured Simon Finnigan and I think the Cas pack will win the arm wrestle, so the home win at [1.48] looks the call. Harlequins host Warrington in Saturday's other game, and this should be a belter. The Wolves remain winless at the foot of the table, having shipped an alarming 134 points in just four games. Quins are sparkling this year and are short odds [1.53] to wound Warrington some more. That appears the safe call but for some reason I fancy Warrington to win their first game of the season at the Stoop. With Tony Smith now at the helm, hunger for success will be spreading through the squad, and there were already signs of recovery in defeat to Leeds last weekend.

The Wolves are the value at [2.08] and that would be enough to tempt me.

Bradford v Hull FC is the pick of Sunday's three fixtures. I've been alarmed at just how bad Bradford have been this season and Richard Agar's winning run in charge of Hull should continue at Odsal. Four wins from four has Hull level with Leeds at the top, they are playing some terrific stuff this year and a win here at [1.82] will increase the pressure on misfiring Bradford (2.02).

Hull KR will continue their fine start to the year with a [1.16] win over winless Celtic Crusaders (5.1) while Wakefield versus Catalans Dragons is a really tough one to call. Wakey were hit by illness and injury in defeat at Hull KR last week while the Dragons' indifference was again evident in a shock home defeat to Castleford. On their day the French side are fearsome but they have been so hit and miss already this season I'd have to side with the Wildcats at [1.54] on their home patch.