Super League Betting: Three to back in Round 18

Raj Bains
10 June 2015

Raj fancies St Helens to get the better of Wigan by a narrow margin

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Some of the biggest sides in the competition come face-to-face this week, with St Helens and Wigan set for another classic chapter of their fierce rivalry. Here's our Rugby League resident Raj Bains with the best bets for Round 18...

"This one might not be an advert for free flowing attacking rugby, but it'll certainly be one of the most watchable games of the season. Neither team may have what it takes to knockout the other, but Saints should have smarts to take this one narrowly on points."

Back St Helens to beat Wigan Warriors by a margin of 1-10pts @ 3.55/2

It's getting to that stage in the season now where sides aren't just having to rely on their form and ability, but their mental strength, too. With the table just weeks away from being divided in line with the new formatting, clubs are finding themselves in the position of having to fight for the chance to avoid being dragged in to the relegation scrap.

Similarly, sides at the top of the league are trying to give themselves the best possible chance of finishing inside the top eight, with the Grand Final looking even harder to access. Wakefield have signed a new head coach, clubs are making last minute loan signings and others are desperate to get their best players back from injury as the regular season comes towards its close. With that in mind, here's where you should be placing your money in Round 18.

Leeds Rhinos to beat Castleford Tigers by a margin of 11-20pts @ 3.39/4
Thursday 11th June, 20:00

After running out of steam a little bit and struggling to replicate their early season unbeaten form, Leeds are just starting to look like themselves again. Top of the league still, but not as convincingly as they had been previously, the Rhinos will want to keep hold of poll position for as long as possible, safe in the knowledge that the playoffs will push their squad harder than ever.

Castleford, meanwhile, have started their own mini-renaissance, having travelled to Hull KR last time out and beaten them on their own patch, which few have managed to so far this year. With local bragging rights up for grabs in the closest thing both clubs have to an inter-city derby, Leeds will know they have the firepower to overcome a spirited Tigers outfit. This might not be a complete and utter home blowout, but expect Leeds to cross the line a handful of times more than their West Yorkshire neighbours.

St Helens to beat Wigan Warriors by a margin of 1-10pts @ 3.55/2
Friday 12th June, 20:00

The first derby between these two was absolute carnage this year, with Wigan just coming out on top in real arm wrestle of a game. This one shouldn't be much different. Wigan were pushed home by a sellout home crowd in that reverse fixture, and Saints can expect a similar sort of support from their home fans this time around, safe in the knowledge that it'll take an incredible Warriors performance to undo them in their own backyard. For every spec of star power and flair that Wigan can boast in their ranks, Saints have the grit and determination to nullify it.

If the home side can frustrate Wigan, and test their famously self-destructive temperament, they'll massively improve their chances of winning. For the Warriors to win, they know they'll have to break down one of the meanest defences in the competition, and keep Saints as far away from their line as possible. This one might not be an advert for free flowing attacking rugby, but it'll certainly be one of the most watchable games of the season. Neither team may have what it takes to knockout the other, but Saints should have smarts to take this one narrowly on points.

Catalan Dragons to beat Hull FC by over 13pts @ 2.37
Saturday 13th June, 17:00

Backing this Catalan side to win at home is sort of my greatest hit now, isn't it? The fact of the matter is though, they just never really let you down when they're in France, which is both their greatest strength and weakness. If only they could take that form on the road with them when they're on this side of the channel, they'd be in with a serious shout of gatecrashing the top four party. That said, this FC side have made it their mission in life to upset my gut feeling whenever I back them to lose, and their form has been one of the best in the league over recent weeks.

Level on points in the league with Catalan, despite having played a game less, this is a great oppertunity for Hull to cement their place in the top eight and start their climb as high up the ladder as they possibly can. That climb though, isn't something I expect to get off to a great start this weekend. Catalan will win this one, and they'll win it fairly comfortably, because that's just what they do at home.