Super League Betting: Saints, Huddersfield and Leeds to win

Raj Bains
24 February 2017

Brough is the attacking inspiration for Huddersfield, and will need to be on song if they're to win tonight

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Following hot on the heels of a controversial game between Hull and Catalan last night, Super League gets back in to full swing this evening, with Rugby League columnist Raj Bains taking us through Round Two.

"The home side will want a reaction after last week, and this West Yorkshire derby at home has come at the best possible time. They’ll want to win, and win big, to set down a marker and show Super League what they’re actually capable of."

Huddersfield Giants to beat Wakefield Trinity by +13pts @ 8/5

For the second week in a row, this is Round Two of Super League...somehow. Last weeks league games had been brought forward from Round 11 to accommodate early Challenge Cup ties for the bottom four clubs, so this is a bit of a Groundhog Day situation for Leeds, Huddersfield, Leigh and Salford.

We're still not sure, at the time of writing, whether or not Wigan vs Widnes is going to take place, with the Warriors apparently taking it upon themselves to cancel a fixture without first consulting either their opposition or the league authorities, in order to give Wigan Athletic the best possible chance of winning their league fixture - which isn't great form, to be honest.

Here then, is the Round Two preview of Super League, featuring some fixtures that will be getting honoured...

- Leigh Centurions vs St Helens
Friday 24th February, 20:00

Leigh haven't had the easiest start to life in Super League in fairness to them. An away game against a Castleford side looking to step up wasn't the kindest introduction, and back-to-back home games against the two most decorated sides in the Super League era isn't the easiest either. They stood up well to Leads though, but didn't have enough to crack a determined Rhinos defensive line, so there's plenty of positives to be taken.

Saints will know this is a game that needs to be won if they've any ambitions of finishing towards the top of the league again. Determined and Leigh are, Saints have the better squad and loftier aims, so the away side should approach this one looking to stop the home side ticking early on, before taking control once the first burst of energy has been sapped from the Leigh attack.

It might not be a blowout, but Saints could easily win this by a try or two as long as they approach it with the right mentality, and don't take a victory for granted.

- Huddersfield Giants vs Wakefield Trinity
Friday 24th February, 20:00

It was an odd game against Salford last time out for the Giants, with some weak defence at key moments costing them against a beatable side. While they did some nice things in attack, Rick Stone has been concentrating on solidifying them defensively, so the alarm bells will have been ringing when they allowed themselves to be beaten at home so easily.

Wakefield are a better side than most give them credit for, and Chris Chester is a coach that deserves highlighting for the way he took over there after being sacked by Hull KR last season. Undoubtedly better off for it, they've dropped the 'Wildcats' from their name and gone back to being Trinity, in search of recapturing some former glories.

The home side will want a reaction after last week, and this West Yorkshire derby at home has come at the best possible time. They'll want to win, and win big, to set down a marker and show Super League what they're actually capable of.

- Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils
Friday 24th February, 20:00

While the Rhinos haven't shifted in to their highest gear yet, there've been signs of improvement compared to last seasons disastrous campaign. Matt Parcell has slotted in excellently at hooker, and his pace scooting out from dummy half has given the wide array of support players at Leeds yet another angle to attack from. Committed defensively and less effected by injury and flooding than they were at the same stage last year, they'll want to get themselves back in to that top four conversation.

Salford, meanwhile, also have cause for some happiness. Beating a side like Huddersfield away is no mean feat, and once they'd found their feet against Wigan on the opening weekend, they more than gave them a scare as well. With so much attacking talent to call on, it's their defensive effort and ability to stay switched on for the whole game that's going to come under the most scrutiny, especially against a side who're looking to get back on the horse.

First game back at Headingley for the season, Leeds will be wanting to put on a show. The home crowd stuck with them through the rough, and they'll be wanting some more of the smooth back, and that should be the case tonight.