Super League Betting: Three to back in Round Nine

Raj Bains
01 April 2016

Leon Pryce will be looking to lead Hull FC to a massive victory away to his former employers at St Helens

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Rugby League hasn't been in the news for the right reasons this week, but concentrating on what's actually happening on the field, Raj Bains is here to guide us through the best bets of the round.

"This one is likely to be a close game, with the lead changing hands several times over the course of the 80-minutes. That said, when the hooter sounds for full-time, Hull seem like the best bet to come out on top - which is especially good news given that they’re priced at such good value."

Hull FC to beat St Helens @ 17/10

It's a shame that the scenes at full-time between Huddersfield and Salford have dictated so much of the column inches about rugby league this past week given how high the standard was over both Easter games. All we can hope for now is that those involved are reprimanded appropriately, and the rugby can set the agenda this weekend.

With top of the league clashes and unlikely relegation six pointers on the cards, it's looking like another important round. That said, here are three big bets you should be considering this weekend.

St Helens vs Hull FC
Friday April 1, 20:00

Nope, this isn't an April Fools joke - Hull FC really are contenders to win this one away at Saints, no matter how big the price appears to be. Having started the season in much better form than we ever saw last season, this is a Hull side who're full of confidence and have momentum behind them, with a huge comeback victory in the Hull derby and a late upset against Warrington giving them maximum points over the Easter period. It's too early to say whether or not the black and whites are Grand Final contenders or not, but they're playing like a side determined to infiltrate the top four and play-offs.

St Helens, on the other hand, haven't done all that well when pressured this season. Having lost away to both Wigan and Leeds, when it's a close run battle, they're not finding what they need to in order to get themselves over the line. Another injury to a key figure in their squad has ruled out winger Tommy Makinson for the season, so they will be coming in to this one far from at full strength.

This is likely to be a close game, with the lead changing hands several times over the course of the 80-minutes. That said, when the hooter sounds for full-time, Hull seem like the best bet to come out on top - which is especially good news given that they're priced at such good value.

Recommended Bet
Hull FC to beat St Helens @ 17/10

Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves
Friday April 1, 20:00
Live on SkySports

Given how well the last side from Cheshire did away to the Warriors, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see Wire add another loss to Wigan's impressive home record later tonight. The form side in the whole competition, the Wolves look transformed after a disappointing 2015, and their search for a first Super League title looks more likely than ever. With additions like Kurt Gidley in the summer, with half-back Chris Sandow bursting in to life in a way he never got chance to before, this is a team with all of the right tools to beat Wigan on their own patch.

That said, of course, there's nothing that the Warriors and Shaun Wane enjoy doing more than turning over one of the favourites. After a big week at the club, with both Dan Sarginson and Josh Charnley announcing their departures at the end of the season to the NRL and rugby union respectively, you're not entirely sure which Wigan are going to turn up - the one with a newly determined side, or a squad dented by the news of major losses?

This should be a high-scoring affair with plenty of flair and skill on show, the confidence that Warrington are playing with right now should be enough to see them through, especially if the loss against Hull over Easter has helped focus them to the task in hand again.

Recommended Bet
Warrington Wolves to beat Wigan Warriors @ 6/5

Leeds Rhinos vs Hull Kingston Rovers
Friday 1st April, 20:00

Somehow, there might actually be more pressure on Leeds now than there ever was at any stage last season. Having started awfully, their improved performances against St Helens and Castleford seemed to suggest that they'd turned a corner, but a home loss to Wakefield on Easter Monday was the worst possible way to round off the festive period. There are still gaping holes in their squad through injury, but those who've come in to replace missing players haven't given the greatest impression of themselves, with Leeds looking far less effective and organised than you'd want them to be. Next up, however, are the side they put 50 points on in the Challenge Cup final, so there's positives there for the team already.

Hull Kingston Rovers, too, haven't had the greatest start in the world. New coach James Webster appeared to have clicked them in to gear on Good Friday after racing in to a 20-0 home lead against their cross-city rivals, but they blew the game in the final 15-minutes, completely abandoning all that had taken them in to that position in the first place. With the added spice of Jamie Peacock returning to Leeds for the first time since retiring last season after a decade with the club and joining KR as head of rugby, there's plenty for the Robins to be playing for.

At home though, the Rhinos fans won't have forgotten that Wakefield game in a hurry, and will want to see a vast improvement from their team tonight. Worryingly blunt in attack, their defence has been their best feature at times, which isn't what Leeds have been known for during their periods of success. Lacking a kicking game and leadership, plenty have written them off, but that's when they usually come back and put in a performance to silence the critics.