High-flying Leeds host Warrington in Super League as St Helens host Widnes
We take a look at two games which could have a considerable effect on the top of the Super League table as the season starts to hot up.
Leeds v Warrington
The Rhinos have only lost once this season, and sit top of the standings on 20 points, six ahead of second-placed St Helens.
Their only defeat came away at the hands of Warrington Wolves, in what was a close encounter at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as the hosts ran out 18-6 winners.
As a result, Leeds are still odds-on favourites with Coral at 4/9 for the win, following the Wolves defeat to a resurgent Wigan outfit last time out.
Brian McDermott’s side, meanwhile, continued their fine form, with a stunning 41-16 away win against Saints and will be determined to get revenge against the Wolves.
Youngster Ash Handley doubled his tally for the season against the Saints, scoring a hat-trick, showing that he excels in big games. As a result, he is 8/1 to cross first, for the second match in a row, and odds-on at 8/11 to put four points on the board anytime.
The match was a perfect example of how there is a transition occurring at Headingley, as the the up-and-coming exciting youngsters prepare to take over from ‘the old guard’, who have delivered five Super League titles, three World Club titles and Challenge Cup in the last decade.
While the ever-reliable club legend Danny McGuire got on the scoresheet, Joel Moon, Liam Sutcliffe and Zac Hardaker ran in four points apiece. The oldest of those, Moon is six years younger than his muti-title winning teammate.
Top-scorer McGuire is well priced at 11/8 in the anytime market, while Moon and Sutcliffe are 13/8 and 15/8 respectively.
The Wolves, though, will be looking to bounce back, after going down to Wigan last time and will be hoping last season’s Super League’s top scorer Joel Monaghan’s return to scoring form against the Warriors was well-timed. He is odds-on at 4/5 to add four points anytime.
Chris Bridge scored twice against the Cherry and Whites, and looks good value at 7/4 in the anytime market, as does Ben Currie with 11/4 odds.
St Helens v Widnes
Saints will be hoping they can bounce back following a defeat to the Rhinos last time out, while Widnes ran out impressive 46-16 victors over Castleford Tigers.
The home outfit are odds-on at 1/7 to take two points, and with rivals Wigan playing bottom club Wakefield, they need to win to guarantee they stay in second.
Super League top scorer Jordan Turner (10 tries) crossed twice last time out, and is odds-on at 4/5 in the anytime market, while Tommy Makinson, who also picked up four points is shorter at 4/7 in the same market.
For the visitors, Rhys Hanbury, Patrick Ah Van and Stefan Marsh both scored two each last time out and are 16/1, 12/1 and 18/1 respectively to breach the in-goal area first.
