Super League Betting: Three to back in Round 17

Raj Bains
04 June 2015

St Helens are a bet for Raj on Saturday night

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The Super League's Magic Weekend shifted the league ladder around again last week, so with the regular season back under way, Raj Bains looks at how those results will affect the competition going forwards.

"Part of you feels a little bit sorry for Salford, but when you think about, most of their pain has been self-inflicted this season. After a bad start, they regained some form and looked to be finally putting a march together up the league, but a combination of their aggressive play and lack of discipline left their squad in tatters."

St Helens to beat Salford Red Devils by a margin of 21-30pts @ 3.7511/4

There's always a danger with blockbuster events like Magic Weekend that the hype and build-up will end up looking silly if the rugby fails to deliver, but that wasn't the case. Each of the six fixtures was entertaining and intriguing in their own way, with the both ends of the table getting wonderfully congested as the league split edges ever closer. The new competition structure looks like a real success so far, with the entertainment level having definitely been increased, and with the new marquee player rule having been voted in at the third time of asking, Super League looks healthier than ever. Here is where you should be putting your money across Round Seventeen.

1 - Widnes Vikings to beat Hull FC by over 13pts @ 3.02/1
Thursday June 4, 20:00
Both of these had brilliant, one-sided victories last week in important fixtures. Hull, despite my doubts, beat their city neighbours by putting on one of their best displays of the season. Widnes, more at home on their own artificial surface than on grass, put those fears to bed by absolutely embarrassing an indisciplined Salford side. Hull though, despite their season best form, won't be looking forward to this one, as Widnes are famed for knowing every inch of their home ground, as it doubles up as their training facility. Widnes captain and playmaker Kevin Brown has shaken off some early season knocks to reinstate himself at the heart of the side, and his hat-trick last time out was just a small sign of what he's able to do when the ball is in his hands. As good as they've been, this will be a tough task for Hull, so expect a slightly underrated Widnes outfit to run in a few scores and win this one with little trouble.

2 - Hull Kingston Rovers to beat Castleford Tigers by a margin of 11-20pts @ 4.3310/3
Friday June 5, 20:00
Castleford haven't dealt with transition at all well this season, despite running in a handsome scoreline against bottom side Wakefield last time out. Having had to reshape their halves and break-up the core of the side that finished second last season, they've struggled to adapt, and look more likely to finish in the bottom four than top eight as things stand. Hull KR, however, have done exactly the opposite, and their squad rebuilding has gone exactly to plan, with new recruits happily forming the backbone of their new look side. Last season, the Tigers were build on the ability to attack and outscore opponents, with their defence fairly weak. This season, with their attack having suffered, their defence hasn't much improved either, so a Rovers side with the likes of Albert Kelly likely to step back in to the team look like big favourites at home.

3 - St Helens to beat Salford Red Devils by a margin of 21-30pts @ 3.7511/4
Friday June 5, 20:00
Part of me feels a little bit sorry for Salford, but when you think about, most of their pain has been self-inflicted. After a bad start, they regained some form and looked to be finally putting a march together up the league, but a combination of their aggressive play and lack of discipline left their squad in tatters. With players unavailable through injury, and many more missing on lengthy bans for avoidable offences, their slide down the league could - and should - have been avoided. Saints, however, have been their reliable selves. Taking injury in their stride, a tough defence has been the pillar of their victories this season, with an offence drilled to take advantage of field position always on hand to keep the scoreboard ticking over. This could end up being fairly one-sided, with Saints putting plenty of attacking play on show for their home fans.

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