Rugby

Super League Betting Preview: Super Saints can turn the screw at the top

Super League RSS / George Riley / 18 June 2009 / Leave a Comment

Free £25 Bet

George Riley looks at the action ahead of this weekend's Super League clashes...

I watched St Helens produce a rugby league masterclass last weekend to move four clear of Leeds and Mick Potter's side already look huge favourites to finish top of the pile.

Yet as the last two seasons have proved, that counts for nothing if Saints slip up in the Grand Final, and the Rhinos won't be panicking yet.

I'm down at the Stoop this week to commentate on Leeds' trip to Harlequins, and this could be an absolute belter. The Rhinos have often come unstuck against the London side, brilliantly coached by the former Leeds assistant Brian McDermott. A Quins win at [2.42] could see them up to second in Super League - above Leeds - and that is some incentive.

As tipped in this column last week, Quins were the value call to grab a result at high-flying Hull KR. Overlooked for England, Rob Purdham, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Will Sharp all shone and they will give Leeds a real go this weekend. The Rhinos needed a late intercept try from teenager Kallum Watkins to rescue a home win against Huddersfield and Saturday's rendezvous at the Stoop should be intense. Leeds are trading at [1.4] with Betfair punters to move within two points of saints who play on Sunday. I do back Leeds, but with little confidence. My fellow rugby league hacks have been giving me grief all week that my local team will get turned over by the Londoners.

Friday's two games see a televised West Yorkshire derby at the Galpharm, and a trip to Humberside for Salford. I'll back Huddersfield at [1.26] to oust Castleford ([3.7]).

Again this could be tighter than you'd think. The Giants did enough to beat Leeds last week and will be smarting at that so I expect a big response from Nathan Brown's boys. Cas started brilliantly at Saints but then got walloped, and their goal-line defence was woeful. Granted they missed internationals Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman who will be back this weekend but I fear in the continued absence of halfback Brent Sherwin this will be a sixth straight Super League defeat for the Tigers. After a fine start to the season Cas are in freefall.

Hull FC are very up and down but I think they will have enough to beat Salford. Richard Agar's side were walloped at Wakefield last weekend and are clinging on to their top-eight place as one of four teams on 14 points. The Reds have started to find their feet under their blossoming teenage playmaker Richie Myler, so may well appeal at [3.75], but I lean towards the [1.29] Black and Whites.

As Leeds go to London, Saturday's other two games see Hull KR in Bridgend and Warrington in Perpignan. Both of these games could go either way so I'll be looking at the value backs.

Rovers slipped up last week and really missed their two England men Shaun Briscoe and Peter Fox - both of whom are back this week. But Justin Morgan's side are still going well in third, a point off Leeds and trade at [1.25] to beat the Celtic Crusaders. That should be the call.

Crusaders secured only their second ever Super League win over Wigan last weekend so it would be a big call to back them at [3.25] to secure their first ever back-to-back wins. They play with confidence, and will be buoyed by that brilliant Wigan win. So do you have the confidence to back them? I'll make that call on Saturday morning I think!

Warrington are incredibly frustrating and are underdogs to win at the Catalans Dragons but I see a win for the English side. The Dragons have a few injuries, and Wolves coach Tony Smith was in France only last week to oversee England's thumping dismantling of the French. I tend to think Warrington's surprise home defeat to Bradford last week was down in no small part to having their coach Smith away with England all week. I expect a response.

So to Sunday's Bradford versus St Helens showdown. Normally a belter this, but the Bulls aren't the force they were at Odsal, and are clear outsiders. Saints will trade at heavy odds-on and you have to fancy them to turn the screw at the top of Super League. A young Saints side were awesome last week, in the absence of James Roby, little Kyle Eastmond sparkled, and Saints will defy a vocal Bradford crowd to march on.

Read More Rugby

Super League Betting: Saints to settle in with big win

Stuart Jones previews this weekend's live Super League action and fully expects St Helens to record a comfortable victory over Salford at their new ground on Friday night....

Super League Betting: Wakey can scupper Vikings' return

Stuart Jones is back with his first previews of 2012 Super League season and our man reckons their could be opening successes for two west Yorkshire teams......

Super League Betting: Can St Helens surivive new stadium curse?

St Helens fell at the final hurdle last season so will a new stadium boost them in their bid for glory in 2012 or will they struggle to acclimatise? Ralph Ellis reckons they might be a lay in the regular...

Rugby League Betting: New season guide part two

Ahead of the big kick-off on Friday night, Stuart Jones completes his betting guide to the Super League season......

Post a comment

Free £20 Bet + Up to £1,000 Cashback

Join Today
How to claim your £20 Free Bet + £1,000 Cashback offer
  1. Open your account (3 mins)
  2. Make a deposit into your account and place a bet on your selection (minimum £20)
  3. Should your selection lose we'll refund your bet + get cashback on your betting for your first 30 days up to £1,000
  4.   £20 Free Bet + £1,000 Cashback, Join Today

Get a $50-$2500 Poker Bonus

Play Now

Choose and earn a $50, $250, $500, $1000 or $2500 poker sign up bonus. Turn Loyalty Into Cash and earn up to 40% Valueback in the Players Club.

Join Betfair Poker Now.

£200 Casino Bonus

Play Now

100% deposit bonus up to £100 for all new casino players. Just join and play to claim.

Join Today. Click here to claim your £200 Casino Bonus

Refer a Friend

START REFERRING

Each friend you introduce to betfair can earn you between £25 and £50.

Refer and Earn Today

Related Sites

© Betfair 2007–11 | Contact Betting.Betfair team on: haveyoursay@betfair.com

Proud to back    

Betfair UK | Australia | Online sázení | Betfair Danmark | Wetten | στοιχήματα | Apuestas | Fogadas | Ireland | Scommesse | Norge | Онлайн ставки | Kladjenje | Vedonlyönti | Apostas | Zakłady | Vadhållning | >网上投注 | Betfair Corporate | Betting Education