Magic Weekend Betting: Rhinos to exercise demons against Tigers

Raj Bains
21 May 2017

Leeds will be after revenge against local rivals Castleford after losing heavily in the derby last time out

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There's nothing quite like Magic Weekend, and it's never short of the odd piece of controversy, which is what the Rugby League fans love most. Super League columnist Raj Bains take us through the best bets from the weekend of matches.

"There’s a lot of pride left in this Rhinos side, and with an almost fully fit squad to choose from, this might be the stage they look to set out an example on, and throw a marker down to the rest of the league."

Leeds Rhinos to beat Castleford Tigers by 1-12pts @ 4/1

Newcastle has become a good home for the Magic Weekend, with tens of thousands happy to make the journey further north to celebrate this little sport of ours. The matches are regularly fantastic, the atmosphere is unique and the festival-like mood translates from fans to players, helping the rugby played have a bit of an exhibition feel to it.

If this Sunday afternoon is half as good as Saturday was, we're in for a treat. Wakefield opened proceedings with a one-sided dispatch job on Widnes, before the Saints pulled a trump card out nobody had seen coming, running in 45 unanswered points to nil against a completely shellshocked Hull FC side.

Closed out by a nip-and-tuck draw between Warrington and Wigan, it was an opening day that had everything, giving those who play on Sunday an extremely tough act to follow.

Catalan Dragons vs Huddersfield Giants
Sunday 21st May, 13:00
Live on SkySports

Huddersfield have struggled this season when they're at full strength, so missing Danny Brough through suspension isn't going to make this one any easier. They look destined for a second season fighting for survival in the bottom four, only this time around, relegation wouldn't actually be that big of a surprise. Although they've drafted in Martin Ridyard from Leigh on loan, that may be too little too late, especially if they don't pick up two points this afternoon.

For the Dragons, this is an almost dream tie at Magic, where they're usually the side with the least support in attendance, for obvious reasons. That said, however, their brand of attacking rugby is likely to win over the neutrals fairly quickly, so they might find themselves with a larger backing than they might've expected. They're the form side of the two, and have no reason to lose this if they bring their game faces.

We've already seen some big scores on day one of Magic, and day two might start with much the same. They may be Giants, but they won't be big enough to slay the Dragons, who'll likely win with ease.

Leigh Centurions vs Salford Red Devils
Sunday 21st May, 15:15
Live on SkySports

This one is a bit of a derby, which is always welcome at such a high profile event. Salford have prepared for the game by letting Justin Carney move to Hull Kingston Rovers in the wake of his disciplinary issues, and Leigh have done similar with Martin Ridyard, which is more to do with Huddersfield's lack of creation and depth, than anything else.

The league table doesn't lie, as the cliché states, and Salford are by far the better of these two teams. With the more skilled players and a real shot at cracking the top four when playing their best, they can't afford to be losing matches to the clubs who'll likely finish bottom four. Their expansive style will do well on the big field at St James' Park, and Leigh have a shaky defence when it's rattled early.

Try as they might, Leigh look well short for Super League at present, but all that means in that they'll want to survive the Middle8s and reinforce even further come the off-season, and build towards being Super League regulars, as clubs like Salford and Wakefield have managed.

Castleford Tigers vs Leeds Rhinos
Sunday 21st May, 17:30
Live on SkySports

The last time these two met, Cas absolutely obliterated the Rhinos, and many took that as a sign that the seven times champions were going to struggle, but that really hasn't been the case. Since then, these two have pretty much been neck-and-neck in the league, with Leeds looking good to swap last season's bottom four finish to one back towards the top.

There's no doubt, of course, that the Tigers have the most devastating attack in the league on their day, but when stifled, they have shown some inability to get going in the face of adversity. Far more comfortable blowing teams out than being in an arm wrestle, the Rhinos may well seek to stink the place out a little to stop Cas getting any rhythm, and play some negative, defence first football that might throw the Tigers off a little.

This ends one of two ways: either it's another massive scoreline in favour of Cas, or the Rhinos steal it in a close-run battle, which they've purposely slowed down. Leeds will know they can't beat the Tigers at their own game, so their tactics will be crucial. There's a lot of pride left in this Rhinos side, and with an almost fully fit squad to choose from, this might be the stage they look to set out an example on, and throw a marker down to the rest of the league.

Recommended Bet
Leeds Rhinos to beat Castleford Tigers by 1-12pts @ 4/1