Super League
/ Stuart Jones / 26 May 2011 / Leave a Comment
Richie Myler is back for the Wolves
"Leeds lost at the Halliwell Jones earlier this season and their good run, and record at Headingley against the Wolves, look in jeopardy on Friday night."
Once again it's Bank Holiday or bust for some of Super League's prime movers and punters. Stuart Jones selects the best bets.
The Bank Holiday weekend means Betfair punters have the chance to trade three live games in-running, the first of which is Friday evenings clash between Leeds and Warrington at the Carnegie Stadium.
The Rhinos' rotten luck with injuries this season shows no sign of abating. Centre Keith Senior is the latest to be ruled out, reportedly for the remainder of the season, and despite both men being named in the squad, question marks still hang over the fitness of full back Brent Webb and stand off Danny Maguire. The pair have been out since the Fourth Round Carnegie Challenge Cup win over Crusaders and, if either were to miss out on Friday, it would really restrict the attacking options available to the home side.
Leeds were comprehensively defeated at the Halliwell Jones earlier this season and their good run, and record at Headingley against the Wolves, look in jeopardy on Friday night. The fact that Tony Smith has been able to loan Chris Riley out to Harlequins this week speaks volumes about the strength in depth at his disposal, not only in the backs, but across the park as a whole, and they're boosted by the return of Richie Myler.
Warrington have won just once at Headingley since 2002, that success coming in the 2006 Playoff Eliminator courtesy of a last-gasp Lee Briers drop goal, but it's difficult to remember when they last visited Leeds in such good form, having notched up 232 points in their last three games, and a start of six doesn't look enough for any team against them in their current mood.
Huddersfield were given a boost mid-week when coach Nathan Brown signed a new deal, but I see very little between them and Hull at present, and I am happy to back the Airlie Birds with home advantage and a couple of points head start when the sides meet on Sunday.
The loss of Luke O'Donnell in the forwards is a huge blow to the Giants, especially given that he would have been key to negating the threat of opposite number Craig Fitzgibbon. They will have their work cut out to slow down a Hull pack that's gaining in confidence. Martin Gleeson and Sam Obst have been fine acquisitions by Richard Agar, both playing big roles in their team's return to form. The capture of a classy centre like Gleeson was something they'd been crying out for.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Wakefield entertain the Catalan Dragons at Belle Vue and I'm very surprised to see the French team asked to concede just the six points on the handicap. The Wildcats looked out on their feet at the end of extra-time against Castleford last week and I expect them to come unstuck against a superior Catalans side. As long as Scott Dureau makes the starting 13, the visitors should have no bother winning by double figures.
Recommended Bets
Back Warrington -6.5 pts @ 1.91
Back Hull + 2.5 pts @ 1.91
Stuart Jones thinks Castleford are in for a painful trip to Warrington on Friday evening while Huddersfield should have too much for St Helens...
The Rhinos are bidding to pick up their third win in a row but Cas will offer stiff opposition. Meanwhile, there's plenty at stake at the Stoop as Stuart Jones selects the best Bank Holiday weekend bets......
It might be a tough time to pick a winner but there's some exciting Super League action to sink your wagers into this weekend and Stuart Jones is just the man to kick-off the Bank Holiday cheer......
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