Super League Betting Preview: Cas could push Leeds all the way

Super League / George Riley / 04 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Lee Smith and Mitchell Sargent battle for the ball

"Cas are capable of springing an upset. I expect Leeds to win, but don’t see the away side as [8.0] outsiders..."

Summer rugby started at a snow-sodden Wrexham last week and the champions Leeds will bid to make it two wins from two on more familiar soil this weekend. Before heading up the M1 for a proper derby, George Riley selects the best bet's from week two of Super League 2010.

Leeds were made to huff and puff in the north Wales snow before emerging with the two Super League points, and they can expect a fierce tussle with the Tigers when Castleford roll into town on Friday night.

The champions will be boosted by the return of Jamie Peacock and Brent Webb, and should tame the Tigers at [1.18]. Cas are trading at [8.0] to open their season with a surprise away win and they are certainly capable should Leeds start as cold as they did in Wales last week.

Mitchell Sargent at prop will lay the platform for Rangi Chase and Brent Sherwin to dazzle in the halves, and they certainly have a side capable of springing an upset. I expect Leeds to win, but don't see Cas as [8.0] outsiders, and I'll be heading up the M1 looking forward to a proper derby.

Wigan's game with Crusaders RL on Friday night sees a Super League first as the Warriors take to the field with a committee of five captains rather than one leader. Andy Coley, Thomas Leuluai, Phil Bailey and George Carmont will share the duties with usual skipper Sean O'Loughin.

I expect Wigan to be strong this year under new boss Michael Maguire and they will win this one at [1.08]. Paul Deacon makes his debut for a Warriors side without the injured Phil Bailey and Michael McIlorum but the home side will still win, with Deacon kicking the points.

Friday's third fixture is another west Yorkshire derby as Huddersfield host Bradford. The Giants are thriving under their new coach Nathan Brown who now has a year of Super League under his belt and I expect them to be stronger than the Bulls in this one. Huddersfield trade at [1.68], with Bulls at [2.56] and I make that about right. I don't see enough depth, or indeed match-winners in Bradford's squad this year, and I expect Eorl Crabtree, Brett Hodgson and co to hold sway for a winning start to their season.

Saturday's fixture is the pick of the weekend, as Sean Long, in his first match since leaving St Helens, goes back to his old stamping ground with Hull FC. Saints have been tipped to struggle a little this season after again falling to Leeds at the final hurdle in October. But I think the departure of Long will really let livewire England scrum-half Kyle Eastmond off the leash, and he will justify his side's [1.36] favouritism with a home win. Hull have recruited well in Berrigan and Fitzgibbon so this could well be a fierce contest in front of the TV cameras, but I still can't be tempted by the [3.5] on offer for Hull FC.

Warrington v Harlequins is probably the game to watch on Sunday, with Ryan Atkins and Richie Myler set to make their Wolves Super League debuts. I watched Quins at home to Wakefield last weekend and they struggled. They will struggle even more at the Halliwell Jones and I expect Warrington to win at [1.1]. Harlequins trade at [9.0] which tells its own story.

There could well be value at Bellevue where Wakefield are fancied at [1.21] to back up their Quins win with a home triumph over the Catalans Dragons. The Perpignan side trade at [1.9] which is mildy more tempting to be, with a massive pack laying the platform for Thomas Bosc and Clint Greenshields they are always a dangerous side.

Hull KR (1.19) shouldn't have many problems against Salford (4.1) so the only possible surprise I foresee this weekend is Catalans winning at Wakefield.

My three bets for week two: Back the Dragons at [1.9], Huddersfield at [1.68] and Saints at [1.36].