Super League Betting: Three to back in Round 12

Raj Bains
21 April 2016

Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane will be hoping his side can build on last weeks win against Castleford

Join

View market

Twitter

Facebook

Super League has done its level best this season to rival the Premier League for most unexpected results this season, but that doesn't mean that there isn't any money to be won. Raj Bains has the breakdown ahead of Round 12.

"There’s heart enough in this Giants side to keep the match interesting for a while, but once Wigan get the upper hand, expect them to click in to a higher gear and set about giving their points difference a much-needed boost."

Wigan Warriors to beat Huddersfield Giants by +13pts @ 23/20

It was typical of Super League this season that just as we were beginning to really lose faith in the likes of Leeds and Huddersfield down the bottom, both clubs came up with season best home performances against the odds and surprised two of the competition's leading sides. Those results have compressed the league ladder at both ends, meaning the difference in points between sides can fluctuate massively week on week. Matches often being decided by how many fit players each side can name from their first team.

With two massive cross-Pennine derbies and Catalan looking to reassert their authority at home this weekend, here's where the best odds look to have fallen across Round 12.

Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants
Thursday 21st April, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports

It's been a couple of weeks now since Wigan had 62 unanswered points run through them by Wakefield, and the Warriors have responded in the right fashion both on and off the field. Having brought back in to contention many of their missing men, Castleford were on the wrong end of their comeback last week, and there's no signs that they're willing to ease up against Huddersfield, either.

While the Giants may well have won last week at home to table topping Warrington 11-0, going away to Wigan is a different matter entirely. Huddersfield will have to be at their defensive best, and hope Danny Brough can be as influential in attack as we've become used to over the years.

Wigan are likely to have ball in hand for long spells during this one, and that will sap the life out of a still threadbare Huddersfield squad. There's heart enough in this Giants side to keep the match interesting for a while, but once Wigan get the upper hand, expect them to click in to a higher gear and set about giving their points difference a much-needed boost.

Recommended Bet: Wigan Warriors to beat Huddersfield Giants by +13pts @ 23/20

St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos
Friday 22nd April, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports

There's been flashes from 19-year-old Jordan Lilley this season that showed his incredible potential, but he managed to combine those moments in to a solid, fully rounded performance for Leeds against Hull last week, and blossomed in to a proper player as the Rhinos got a much needed win on the board. A smart passer, good vision off the boot and an eye for goal Leeds have lacked with others kicking, they'll need another star turn from their academy graduate if they're to turn over a determined Saints side in their own back garden.

Boosted by the return of long-term absentee Jonny Lomax at full-back, Saints are started to get back in to a more recognisable shape after injuries dictated some of their earlier results and performances. Luke Walsh has been in great form in the halves creating and scoring many of their most important points, and Kieron Cunningham will be pleased with the work rate his side show across the board, especially in defence.

These two have a storied history in this competition, and it's always hard to separate them in the regular season, but home advantage could be key for Saints in what is likely to be a narrow win for whoever comes out on top.

Catalan Dragons vs Salford Red Devils
Saturday 23rd April, 17:00

For years, the chat around Catalan has been whether or not the club would be able to shake off their horrible away form and start to mount a challenge higher up the table. This season, however, that's been a little bit backwards. Taking their eye of the ball - sometimes literally - in the comfort of France, their extra focus away from home appears to have solved that long standing issue, whilst creating another in the home fort.

Salford too have had an up and down start, with many of their good early wins being cancelled out in recent weeks by sloppy performances and losses that could've been avoided, dropping them down the league fairly unceremoniously. With the sort of players to call on that can hurt Catalan however, this one could start off on a fairly even footing, but that's entirely dependent on how well Salford can assert themselves early doors.

With a player like Todd Carney pulling the strings in the heart of the side for the first time on a consistent basis since arriving at the club last year, there's some real quality in the right places for Catalan this season, and talk of their chances getting to the Grandfinal aren't as far-fetched as they may have been in years gone by. They'll want to win - and win big - to reclaim their home territory, and they've got the right sort of players to call on to put those points on the board.