This Week's Rugby League
By The Man

Warrington v Salford



26th July 15:00 BST

I usually like to play the handicaps but for this game the match odds price stands out as a better option. 1.22 in my book relates to a 10pt handicap and I had this one as Wire by 14.

Warrington have hit a sticky spell with recent defeats to Huddersfield and St.Helens but crucially a host of players hope to return for this fixture from injury. Adrian Morley (knee), Paul Rauhihi (back), Simon Grix (mouth), Chris Hicks (leg) and Vinnie Anderson are all trying to prove their fitness after lay-offs. In any case I have Warrington as the superior team and would be very surprised in Salford can come away with a victory. They have had some shock victories most notably against Saints and Leeds but they remain firmly a bottom two side and would have to produce something special to win this one.

Engage Super League Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
1	St Helens	21	16	0	5	635	358	32
2	Leeds	21	16	0	5	579	357	32
3	Huddersfield	21	14	0	7	512	332	28
4	Hull KR	21	12	1	8	490	410	25
5	Wigan	21	11	0	10	510	419	22
6	Wakefield	21	11	0	10	499	495	22
7	Castleford	21	11	0	10	476	517	22
8	Harlequins RL	20	10	0	10	465	447	20
9	Warrington	21	10	0	11	461	511	20
10	Catalans Dragons	20	9	0	11	469	514	18
11	Hull	21	9	0	12	412	496	18
12	Bradford	20	6	1	13	428	544	13
13	Salford	20	6	0	14	318	534	12
14	Celtic Crusaders	21	3	0	18	295	615	6

Pick: Warrington 3pts @ 1.22 with Skybet

 
Blackpool v London Skolars



25th July 15:00 BST

Skolars really are out of their depth and last week's big home defeat by Rochdale just confirmed the fact. I felt that the loan arrangement with Harlequins would reap rewards but nothing seems to have changed as Quins themselves have hit an injury crisis.

Blackpool are an improving team. They managed to win the 9s tournament a fortnight ago and followed up with a fine victory at Swinton. They will be looking to cement a decent play-off position and points difference could be crucial in ensuring an opening home fixture. Blackpool have players tried and trusted at this level and as long as the weather keeps fair I think they'll cover. I had Blackpool by 54.

Pick: Blackpool -44 3pts @ 1.91 with Skybet or Bet365

Co-operative Championship 1 Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	BP	PTS
1	Dewsbury	13	13	0	0	544	145	0	39
2	Keighley	13	9	0	4	411	301	3	30
3	Oldham	12	8	0	4	462	258	3	27
4	York	13	8	0	5	404	262	3	27
5	Blackpool	12	6	0	6	348	308	3	21
6	Swinton	13	7	0	6	377	372	0	21
7	Hunslet	13	6	0	7	336	321	2	20
8	Rochdale	12	4	0	8	342	335	5	8
9	Workington	13	1	0	12	197	546	3	6
10	London Skolars	12	1	0	11	124	697	0	3

 
York v Hunslet



26th July 15:00 BST

This will be something of a grudge match. New Hunslet coach Paul March recently left the job at York in controversial circumstances and he will be looking to put one over on his old team. There has been words exchanged between the two camps and I expect both teams to be fired up.

Hunslet gave runaway leaders Dewsbury a decent game last weekend whilst York stuttered to a win against a dreadful Workington team. I don't have much between the two teams in terms of ability and would give Hunslet a 6pt start only by virtue of being the visiting team.

Pick: Hunslet +12 3pts @ 1.91 with Skybet