Super League / George Riley / 17 July 2009 / Leave a comment

George Riley talks us through the main stories from last week's Super League action and looks ahead to the best bets from this weekend's fixtures.

Super League's big two both play on Friday night, both having survived a real test on their championship pedigree last weekend.

Leeds scored with the very last play to deny Wakefield a first-ever home Super League win over the Rhinos. St Helens had to withstand a fierce Warrington assault to come through a bruiser at the Halliwell Jones, as Saints preserve their two-point buffer over the champions at the top.

Leeds host Hull KR at Headingley boosted by that steal at Bellevue. I expect Leeds to be unchanged and I expect them to win again at [1.24]. Rovers have been a revelation under the guidance of Justin Morgan these past two seasons, the Aussie confidently predicting KR could even win this year's competition. I can see Rovers making a game of this if they fancy it, and are certainly shouldn't be the [5.7] shots they trade at on Betfair. Shocks do happen, but Leeds don't look in the mood to lose anything at home. Their recent goal-line defence has been tremendous.

Wakefield will have to banish the heartache of that Leeds defeat if they are to take anything at St Helens. This is the televised game and Wildcats coach John Kear has got far too much pride not to send out a team capable of pulling off a win here. Wildcats are trading at [10.0] which is a ridiculous price. Sure, Saints should come through, but in a season of shocks I would fancy this as a potential banana skin, and certainly worth a couple of quid. Saints are [1.13] massive favourites.

I like the look of Salford-Castleford at the Willows - especially given the home side are [2.94] underdogs. Cas have steadied the ship to win three of their last four, and they are at [1.54]. If they pay with the same fire that saw them hammer 40 points on Hull FC last weekend then the Reds could have a tough old evening. Stefan Ratchford has been a revelation for Salford, emerging really in the shadow of another talented youngster Richie Myler, and he will be key to the home side's chances.

Hull's chance to respond to that Tiger tantrum is a home date with struggling Celtic Crusaders - who bounced back after a home win over Salford.

The Crusaders do have the talent, and having won at Bradford, a trip to the out of sorts Hull FC won't hold any fear for John Dixon's side, who trade at [4.4]. I expect Hull to come through but don't fancy them strongly enough to suggest their [1.31] odds are worth backing.

The remaining three games are played on Sunday, with Bradford versus Wigan the obvious highlight. This could be a Grand Final in years gone by but both have struggled to escape the shadow of those great achievements.

Bradford's surrender at Hull KR last week was meek and I liked the way Wigan overcame a really tough Catalans side to win it by two. Brian Noble always enjoys taking Wigan back to his old stamping ground and I lean towards the Cherry and Whites in this fixture at [1.97]. Bradford currently trade around [1.85] which shows you how close this one is to call.

I think Harlequins will struggle in the south of France against the Dragons. They trade at [4.0] to win in Perpignan but the loss through injury of Luke Dorn and Rob Purdham has prompted a dismal run of results and I feel for Brian McDermott's team again. Neither are ready to return for this TV game and I strongly fancy the Catalans.

The remaining fixture looks a cracker as Huddersfield host Warrington - both sides bang in form, and boasting two of the best coaches in the competition. Despite their defeat to St Helens last week Warrington have been revitalised by Tony Smith. Nathan Brown has moulded Huddersfield into a club who are week-by-week strengthening their claims to be the third best side in the competition.

The Giants trade at [1.56], with [2.32] about the Wolves. I think it will be closer than that but having watched the Giants first hand last weekend I fancy them to stretch an impressive winning run. This could be the tie of the round.

My top three tips this week start with a home win for the Catalans Dragons. For a bit more value I'm looking at away wins for Castleford at Salford and Wigan at Bradford.