Super League Super8s Betting: Back Castleford, Leeds and Catalan to win

Raj Bains
02 September 2016

Dragons coach Laurent Frayssinous will be looking to keep their season alive against Warrington

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A week on from what will likely go down as one of the greatest Challenge Cup finals ever, Super League has a lot to live up to. Previewing the latest round of Super8s action, Raj Bains takes us through the best bets.

"A week less rested than Catalan, emotionally drained and less prepared than their opposition, this match is an uphill task to say the least."

Catalan Dragons to beat Warrington Wolves by 11-20pts @ 5/2

In recent years, the Challenge Cup final has been more celebrated for being the event it is, rather than the quality of the match being played. This year, however, Hull and Warrington fought out a modern day classic, which leaves the Super8s with a bit of a task on his hands to replicate quality-wise. The winners, Hull, now have the chance of repeating Leeds Rhinos' heroic treble of last season, while runners-up Warrington will be looking to the Grandfinal as a way to atone for the Wembley mistakes.

With only three rounds left before the play-offs begin, this is where form really starts to matter in the run-in towards crunch time at both sides of the split. Here are the best bets for Round 4.

Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Friday September 2, 20:00

While they did extremely well towards the end of the season to secure a place in the top eight, Wakefield haven't come close to that level since. A flaw of the Super8s structure essentially meant they had no chance whatsoever of breaking the top four, and as a result, they've played like a side whose season has already finished. Not quite at the stage of just turning up to be beaten, but not far off, their game lacks the belief and intensity of the sides looking towards the top four.

Castleford, too, have had their top four hopes all but ended over the past few weeks, but have far more momentum behind them than Wakey do at present. It's a shame that we're entering such an advanced stage in the season with a match that essentially doesn't mean anything, but there's no other way to cut it.

What will matter, especially at a place like The Jungle, is that West Yorkshire pride is at stake, so this shouldn't be a dead rubber. Given the form of both sides and home side advantage, Cas should win this fairly easily if they approach the game properly.

Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils
Friday September 2, 20:00

It's a shame that Leeds did so poorly across the majority of the regularly season given how they've performed for the past few months. Finding form, they're playing rugby that's reminiscent of their champion sides, so that's a good sign for next season. Having made light work of The Qualifiers so far, there's almost no doubt that they're safe for next season, looking good to go the whole seven games unbeaten.

Salford, however, are in a slightly more serious situation, and there's every chance they could find themselves fighting for Super League survival in the Million Pound Game if their form doesn't take a dramatic boost. Given that Championship side Leigh have started so well, there's almost definitely going to be Super League participation in the winner takes all play-off, with two sides possibly involved.

Leeds will want to mark the passing of club chairmen Harry Jepson OBE by giving the crowd something to shout about, so there's every chance they'll put on a performance worthy of a man widely recognised as a legend of the game.

Catalan Dragons vs Warrington Wolves
Saturday September 3, 17:00
Live on SkySports

Warrington aren't just missing players after last week's late defeat in the Challenge Cup final, but important ones too. A week less rested than Catalan, emotionally drained and less prepared than their opposition, this match is an uphill task to say the least. While they're one of the best sides in the league, there's only so much they can look to do when so much is going against them, especially with a long trip to France on the cards and a game in the heat to follow.

For the home side, this is a brilliant chance to knock off one of the sides above them while venerable, and there's no reason they shouldn't. Likely to be competitive in the early stages while Wire are still operating off adrenaline, Catalan should look to strike late on, when the away side will understandably tire.

This might not be a blowout, but Catalan should be able to put some breathing room between themselves and Warrington if they attack with persistence and intensity. Unfortunately for the away side, this is a price to pay for reaching the cup final, which is harder to take after a narrow loss.