This Week's Rugby League
By The Man

This week we have the highlight of the year for some with the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. For once we have a game not featuring any of the "big four" and one that either team could justifiably claim to be capable of victory.
If we look at the league form then Huddersfield have had a tremendous season. Their new coach, Nathan Brown, has taken the team to another level

"The best overseas recruit of the year" Brett Hodgson

and they really are a difficult team to beat. They have the best defensive record in the league and lay solid foundations with their big forwards. In Brett Hodgson they have probably got the best overseas recruit of the year and there seems to be a real team spirit in the camp.

Three years ago they produced a stunning semi final performance against fancied Leeds but seemed overawed in the final when coming up against St.Helens at Twickenham. This time there will be no inferiority complex and face a team with even less big final experience.

Warrington have been hit and miss all season. A slow start cost Jimmy Lowes his position as head coach and Tony Smith, the England coach, entered the fray. There is little doubt that he has turned things round both in attitude and performance but they still lack consistency at times. There are a few nagging injury doubts in the Wire camp but I expect most of the top stars to be out there.

I feel that Warrington probably have more match winners but Huddersfield possess the stronger all round team. The likes of Briers, Monaghan, Morley and King really need big games if they are to be successful.
Ever since the semi finals I have been struggling to come up with my handicap and split the pair. I know that on their day Warrington are more than capable of beating any side but I just worry about their defence at times. Perhaps the Wembley final will inspire a better defensive effort.

All in all I am edging ever so slightly towards Huddersfield. I just feel that their better defensive organisation coupled with the better form throughout the year makes them the ever so slight favourites. They have had the luxury of resting their players last weekend, which is no bad thing at this time of the season, whilst Warrington were involved in a must win game to help secure a play-off berth, a game they lost with another poor defensive show.

So my handicap makes Huddersfield 2pt favourites and unfortunately most of the bookmakers seem to be leaning my way too. There is a mixture of scratch and Warrington +2pts on offer but the line is not far enough different from my tissue to induce a wager.

Stan James currently offer Huddersfield at even money in 80mins which is a slight recommendation if you are a junkie and need a bet to view.

On the exchanges I will be laying 1.74 Huddersfield, 2.1 Warrington with the draw 21.
 
Away from the main course this weekend I do have a wager in the re-arranged action from the Championship.
 
Sheffield v Featherstone



27th August 20:00 BST

Featherstone come in to this game on the back of losing their must win fixture versus Barrow. Their defensive frailties were exposed by the league leaders and they didn't have to play that well to rack up over 40pts.
Featherstone, to me, are just falling short of being a really top team in this division. They have had some decent successes, most notably at Halifax and Whitehaven and at home to Widnes but interspersed have been some very average days.

Sheffield, meanwhile, will benefit from a week’s break and go in to this fixture on the back of a fine win at home to Halifax. Before that a big win at Batley and a close defeat at Whitehaven suggests that they are at least the equal of Rovers and I would argue in better form.

I've got to make Sheffield favourites. The short turnaround won't help Rovers and I'm expecting a fairly comfortable home victory. I would have handicapped this in the 6-8pt region and am presently surprised to see the 2pts on offer.

Co-operative Championship Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	BP	PTS
1	Barrow	18	13	0	5	598	316	3	42
2	Widnes	20	11	0	9	649	438	6	39
3	Whitehaven	19	12	0	7	551	520	3	39
4	Halifax	18	11	0	7	653	440	4	37
5	Sheffield	18	9	0	9	578	413	9	36
6	Featherstone	18	12	0	6	581	466	0	36
7	Toulouse	19	9	0	10	538	548	3	30
8	Batley	19	7	2	10	506	594	4	29
9	Leigh	18	8	0	10	361	531	4	28
10	Gateshead	18	7	2	9	538	645	1	26
11	Doncaster	19	1	0	18	257	899	5	-1

 
I'm off to the Wembley final myself so there won't be any more from me over the weekend. For those looking at the Bank Holiday Monday fixtures I'd be giving Leigh around 6pts at home to Halifax and Gateshead 12pts at Barrow.

Pick:  Sheffield -2 3pts @ 1.91 with Skybet