Rugby League / George Riley / 30 April 2009 / Leave a comment

The Super League roadshow heads en masse to Edinburgh for the Magic weekend, a week after an equally magic weekend for followers of this column, writes George Riley.

Having flagged up some terrific value last weekend, I can only hope punters took my lead by backing some outrageous odds. Bradford Bulls, at [16.5] in a two-horse race at St Helens obliged with the victory of the season, and although I didn't expect it to happen, a cheeky fiver on that outcome made my weekend. Likewise Harlequins' [8.8] win at a Leeds side who had suffered back-to-back home defeats, would have more than paid for your weekend refreshments had you thrown a cautionary few quid to the Headingley wind.

So all 14 Super League clubs head to Murrayfield this weekend as rugby league goes on the road. I will be there too, indeed I shall be dusting off the boots to play in the legends curtain-raiser for the media side on Saturday morning. Not that I'd advise you to back us!

First up on Saturday at 3pm is Salford v Harlequins. Salford provide the value at [3.0], but Quins will be buoyant after their thoroughly deserved win at champions Leeds last weekend and I back another success for top coach Brian McDermott. Mac said at the start of the season that he had set his side the target of winning the competition. That win at the Rhinos moved the capital side up to seventh, and only another victory this weekend can produce the kind of momentum to mount a serious challenge on the top four.

Wakefield v Bradford follows at 5pm and this is my standout tie of the weekend. As much a shock to me as Bradford's win at St Helens, was Wakefield's home defeat by Wigan. The Wildcats have suffered another blow this season with the loss through injury of winger Damien Blanch for the rest of the season, and coach John Kear's resources will once again be tested. Bradford will see that St Helens win as a turning point and will expect to back up with another triumph. I'm not sure how to call this, I have some good friends who play for Wakey and they reckon they will turn the Bulls over. There isn't much in it in terms of value, with Wakefield trading at [2.22] with Betfair punters, and the Bulls at [1.74]. Bradford are so unpredictable I find it impossible to back them but I do have a sneaking fancy for them this weekend.

Wigan v St Helens is the Saturday evening game and I expect Saints to respond in style to that shock Bulls battering. Wigan are the tempting call at [4.4], but the chances of Saints suffering back to back defeats are almost zero and they thrive on the big occasion. Murrayfield will bring out the best in Mick Potter's side and I cannot see them coming unstuck.

Huddersfield Giants kick things off on Sunday with a high noon crunch with Celtic Crusaders. The longer they go without a win, the harder it will be for John Dixon's side to break down that psychological barrier. They came close against Castleford last weekend, and will fancy this given the Giants own defeat last weekend. As always the Crusaders are the value at [7.2], with Huddersfield hardly worth backing at [1.18], so again, although I don't expect an upset, I'd be tempted to throw a few quid the Welsh side's way simply because it has to happen sometime. Playing at Murrayfield will feel like a Cup final and I expect teams like the Crusaders to rise to the occasion in front of the TV cameras.

Castleford at [2.02] are my call to topple the [1.73] Hull FC and consolidate their position at the top end of the pile, while [1.12] heavyweights Leeds will bounce back with victory over the Catalans Dragons [5.2].