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Article: Rugby League Weekend
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Rugby League WeekendJust the one game has caught me eye this week in Super League but hopefully more selections to follow when the layers reveal their Championship league marks.
Castleford v Bradford
Sunday 29th March 15:30 GMT
These two teams have had such a contrasting start to the season compared to last. Castleford have had an impressive run after finishing in bottom spot last season and have chalked up particularly impressive wins at Hull and Wigan. Bradford, meanwhile, have stuttered along and only last week got on their winning ways with victory at Catalan who themselves have had a shaky start.
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I'm not really one to go overboard on runs of form as they are so often temporary but this Bradford squad is in decline. OK, they will be capable of winning games including this fixture but I've seen so many great players replaced by journeyman in the last few years. A centre and wing pairing of Sykes and Sheriffe hardly worries the opposition in the same way as Hape and Vainikolo.
Castleford are a team on the up. They have some exciting youngsters like Westerman, Shenton and Owen and have recruited really well in the off-season. I sense this Casleford team is buzzing and will have too much pace for a pedestrian looking Bradford team. The two start for home advantage suggests that Bradford would be the favourites on neutral ground. I don't agree and I would have made Cas 6pts favourites here.
Engage Super League Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 137 | 70 | 10 |
| 2 | St Helens | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 70 | 10 |
| 3 | Hull | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 152 | 105 | 10 |
| 4 | Huddersfield | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 144 | 97 | 8 |
| 5 | Wakefield | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 141 | 97 | 8 |
| 6 | Castleford | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 155 | 116 | 8 |
| 7 | Hull KR | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 134 | 111 | 7 |
| 8 | Harlequins RL | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 144 | 104 | 6 |
| 9 | Wigan | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 154 | 132 | 6 |
| 10 | Bradford | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 89 | 133 | 3 |
| 11 | Catalans Dragons | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 116 | 162 | 2 |
| 12 | Warrington | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 102 | 206 | 2 |
| 13 | Salford | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 96 | 221 | 2 |
| 14 | Celtic Crusaders | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 60 | 136 | 0 |
Pick: Castleford –2 (h’cap) 3pts @ 1.91
The man
Author: The Man, Published 27 Mar 09