Super League Betting: Dragons too strong for Saints

Stuart Jones
12 April 2013

Catalan have a great opportunity to again get one over on St Helens

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Stuart Jones is backing the Catalan Dragons to end a run of away defeats, and Castleford to come good under caretaker boss Danny Orr.

"Wilkin is a quality player, but he’s no scrum half, and with a lack of creativity and numerous youngsters called upon again for Friday’s clash, Saints will do well to get away with such a lack of experience and attacking options against the team from the South of France".

St Helens vs Catalan Dragons
Nathan Brown had a reputation for playing men out of position in his time at Huddersfield and he's already shown in his time at Saints that he's not adverse to changing things around. Jon Wilkin, normally recognised as a back-row forward, has played much of the season in the halves, and whilst that has been largely down to injuries so far, Brown insists that he will play there for the season.

Wilkin is a quality player, but he's no scrum half, and with a lack of creativity and numerous youngsters called upon again for Friday's clash, Saints will do well to get away with such a lack of experience and attacking options against the team from the South of France.

Catalans away form has admittedly been poor, but then Saints have hardly made Langtree park the fortress they'd like this season. Scott Dureau is still on sidelines, but in Leon Pryce, Ian Henderson and Thomas Bosc they have plenty of attacking options and their pack looks a match for Saints.

An 8.5 point start for the Dragons looks too much given the question marks against the home side and can be backed at around 1.8810/11 at present.

Recommended bet

back Catalan Dragons + 8.5 points at 1.8810/11

Castleford Tigers vs Widnes Vikings
The traders only really have home advantage splitting the two sides for this one and it's not hard to see why. Castleford's form has been poor, but then so has the away record of the Vikings. This certainly isn't one to be getting too heavily involved in, but this already looks a must win game for the Tigers, and I'm expecting a big response for Danny Orr's first game in charge.

The Vikings last away game at Huddersfield was the third time this season they went into half-time having failed to register a single point and their form on the road couldn't be much more contrasting than when at the Stobart Stadium.

Castleford should be able to get a confidence boosting success here and can cover the -6.5 handicap in the process.

Recommended bet

back Castleford Tigers -6.5 points at 1.9110/11

Salford City Reds vs Hull FC
Hull have tended to find points hard to come by this season, but there win over Catalans will have done their confidence no harm and Salford leaked yet another 50+ points at Widnes. The handicap of ten points doesn't leave much room for manoeuvre, especially with Hull's first-choice kicker, Danny Tickle, on the side-lines, but there is value to be had in the anytime scorer market.

Tom Lineham has scored six tries in his eight appearances this season, yet is available to back at odds against the defensively suspect Reds. He'd be nearer a 1.7 chance in my book, so the 2.111/10 available looks excellent value.

Recommended bet

back Tome Lineham to score a try at 2.111/10