Super League Betting: Bradford can keep home run going

Stuart Jones
31 August 2012

Mike Potter's men have their sights set on Old Trafford

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We're just weeks away from the start of the Super League play-offs and, although the majority of the eight slots up for grabs are pretty much set in stone, this weekend's live games will go a long way to deciding which clubs earn the chance to have a crack at reaching Old Trafford, writes Stuart Jones.

Recommended Bets
Back Bradford Bulls -6.5 points @ 1.9110/11
Back Widnes Vikings +12.5 points @ 1.9110/11

Bradford play Hull at Odsal Stadium in the first of the weekend's televised action and the Bulls will be confident of victory over the Airlie Birds having gone five games without defeat at home. Mick Potter's side have also been boosted by the return from injury of Oliver Elima and Jarrod Sammut. The latter was in fine form earlier in the season, establishing himself as Bradford's first choice stand-off, and he could well be integral to their Old Trafford push.

Peter Gentle is also able to recall a couple of players into his squad after injury, including International centre Kirk Yeamon, but his return has been somewhat overshadowed by season-ending injuries to Richard Whiting and promising youngster Tom Linehan.

I've touched upon Hull's inconsistency under Gentle already this season, something highlighted when they followed an impressive win over the Catalan Dragons with a 42-16 defeat to bottom of the league Widnes.

Bradford are asked to give up 6.5 points on the main Betfair line and are available to back to do so at around 2.01/1. They look easily the most solid betting proposition of the pair, and I'm happy to side with the Bulls at the available prices.

Wakefield pose the biggest threat to the Bulls in the race for the final play-off spot and they entertain Widnes in front of the Sky cameras at Belle Vue on Sunday.

An impressive run of five wins on the bounce, including victories over Leeds and St Helens, has seen Richard Agar's men move within a point of the Bulls, and they are 12.5 points favourites against the Vikings this weekend.

After a slow start to the season, Widnes are beginning to find their feet in Super League and although they still prop up the table, there has been a definite improvement in their performances in the second half of the season.
Steve Pickersgill, Chris Dean and Joe Mellor are all expected to come into the side that beat Hull a fortnight ago and Dennis Betts will be keen to ensure that his side avoid the wooden spoon.

Both sides have been involved in some free-scoring affairs in recent rounds and I can see this being a tit-for-tat battle, but I don't envisage Wakefield pulling clear and Widnes to stay within the 12.5 pt line is the best bet.