Super League Tips: Five bets you must have in round four

Raj Bains
05 March 2015

Will Jamie Peacock's Leeds win in Super League's early fixture?

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Raj Bains was on form last week, hitting a clean sweep of winners - how will we fare in round four? Read on to find out...

"Catalan will be high on confidence after a fantastic perfromance against Warrington last time out, and back-to-back home wins looks almost certain."

5 - Catalan Dragons to beat Salford Red Devils by 11-20pts @ 3.39/4

When at the start of the season the 2015 Super League was being pushed as a competition where "every minute mattered" due to the structural changes, most fans, including myself, didn't really take much notice. It wouldn't have been the first time advertisement and hyperbole had crossed paths, of course. However, this season really is panning out to be one of the most exciting in years. Established title challengers yet to win a match, relegation favourites storming up the table, it's been as entertaining as it has been unpredictable. There's more to come in Round Four - and here's where you should be putting your money.

1 - Leeds Rhinos to beat Hull FC by a margin of 6-10pts @ 4.84/1

Hull FC and Leeds are two teams who don't tend to get along too well. There's a fierce rivalry in place that tends to spill over year after year, resulting in deeply physical, extremely tough matches. Leeds are one of the form teams in Super League this year, their attacking play making up for what has been, at times, a disorganised defence. The Black and Whites, on the other hand, have been up and down, as has become their wont. This game should be fairly close, especially at the KC Stadium, but Leeds should have too much quality and experience if they perform to their best on the night. It was a late win for the Rhinos last week against a Yorkshire rival, and it could be the same story again a week on.

2 - St Helens to beat Wakefield Trinity Wildcats by a margin of over 13pts @ 1.728/11

Wakefield were most people's favourites to be relegated at the start of the season, but opened their campaign with two excellent back-to-back wins, and everybody was left to stand back and scratch their heads. However, quality caught up with them last week away at Widnes, and they conceded over 50pts in the most one-sided match of the season so far. St Helens have recovered well from their World Club Series disappointment a fortnight ago, and battled to a deserved victory over Castleford last week, despite not playing anywhere close to their best. Saints, along with Leeds, have made a perfect start to this season, and given their performance last week, Wakefield shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

3 - Warrington Wolves to beat Hull Kingston Rovers @ 1.330/100

Warrington may have lost in Perpignan last week, but that shouldn't be too much of a worry, most teams will. Hull KR have been much like their city neighbours this season, both disappointing and impressive in equal measure, and it's that inconsistency that will cost them against a team as professional and well-drilled as Warrington tend to be at home. Wire coach Tony Smith will want his side to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, and not lose too much ground on those above them in the league. Hull KR have the ability to cause Warrington problems, especially with the likes of Albert Kelly in such good form, but a home win is the best call.

4 - Castleford Tigers to beat Wigan Warriors @ 2.89/5

Castleford haven't won yet this season, and nobody at the club will be at all happy about it. From being a game away from securing the League Leaders' Shield last season to joint bottom after three games in this, there's obviously some issues that the Tigers have to overcome. While they haven't played badly, their new signings in key positions are only now starting to settle, and they were a few handling errors away from surprising St Helens last week. Wigan lack discipline and are low on confidence this season, and having lost their captain Sean O'Loughlin to injury, aren't in great shape for this one. The Jungle looks primed to play host to its first home win of the season.

5 - Catalan Dragons to beat Salford Red Devils by 11-20pts @ 3.39/4

Remember what we said last week about how you don't bet against Catalan Dragons at home? Well take that, and just transfer it to this week, essentially. After what seems like years of backing Salford to win and being let down, they finally did last week, with Rangi Chase creating one of the tries of the season with what can only be described as ludicrous ball-handling skills. This week, however, Chase might have to play out of position at full-back due to injuries in the squad, and Catalan is not the side to face away when you're not at full strength. Catalan will be high on confidence after a fantastic perfromance against Warrington last time out, and back-to-back home wins looks almost certain.