This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

Huddersfield v Bradford



Friday 5th February 8pm Live on Sky

I was first considering selling the total points in this fixture. But when I saw that they had also pitched the Huddersfield supremacy a little on the high side compared to my tissue then I figured that the sell of the Huddersfield points only was the better option.

I was perhaps a little critical of Huddersfield in my pre-season assessment and they may well have added quality to their squad in the shape of Lee Gilmour, David Fa’alogo and Brad Drew (who misses out tonight through injury) and a bit more depth by adding Graham Horne and Scott Grix. I am certainly of the opinion that they can be again challenging for a high play-off spot and they underlined their quality with a fine pre-season victory at Castleford.

That said, I also feel Bradford have added real quality especially in Matt Orford who can guide them around the park. I feel the Bradford squad lacks depth but for this first game they are virtually at full strength with the only doubt prop forward Craig Kopczak. They also had a fine pre-season win at Hull KR and earlier had pushed Leeds all the way. They ended last season on a fine run and I feel they can take that form in to the new season.

I really don't see much between these two teams, I think they are very well matched. The "summer" season starts in the depths of winter and there are rarely free scoring games in the early rounds as conditions underfoot tend to slow the game down. This game could well turn out to be an arm wrestle.

I had Huddersfield as 3pt favourites and I would have pitched the total points at 38pts so my Huddersfield pts line would have been 20.5pts. I more than happy to sell at 24.
 
Huddersfield Giants squad:

B. Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whaturia, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Mason, Gilmour, Fa'alogo, Raleigh, D. Griffin, Lawrence, Faiumu, Grix, Aspinwall, Horne.

Bradford Bulls squad:

Sykes, Langley, Sheriffe, Kopczak, Donaldson, Scruton, Menzies, Kearney, Godwin, L'Estrange, Halley, Nero, Lynch, Reardon, Hall, Crookes, Worrincy, Whitehead, Orford

Pick: Sell Huddersfield Total Points 0.3pts stake @ 24 with Sporting Index

 
St.Helens v Hull



Saturday 6th February 6pm
 
There is a mood of optimism in the Hull ranks after a wretched season. High profile signings have come in to the club in the shape of Long, O'Meley and Fitzgibbon and there's a lot of people talking up their chances. When you consider that they also have the likes of Berrigan, Horne, Manu and Yeaman then I'm one of those people. I think Hull FC can go really well this season. They got off to a great start last year but injuries bit. It could happen again but for now they have a pretty formidable starting line-up.

St.Helens will be a big test for them to see where they are. A lot of people are writing the Saints off and it is obvious that they aren't as strong as previous years but they still possess plenty of match winners. Wilkin, Pryce, Gidley, Eastmond and Graham would walk in to any super league team and you can then start adding the experience of Cunningham, Wellens, Fozzard and Flannery.

I think there is going to be a fine match in prospect and it will tell us a lot about the respective teams, especially Hull. I wouldn't completely rule out a Hull victory but the key reason for the wager, as ever, is the handicap on offer. Early season games tend to be low scoring and add in the generous offer of even money from bet365 then I'm content with this one. I had Saints by 6pts.
 
St. Helens squad:

Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Soliola, Pryce, Eastmond, Fozzard, Cunningham, Graham, Puletua, Wilkin, Flannery, Roby, Hargreaves, Moore, Clough, Wheeler, Fa'asavalu, Lomax.

Hull FC squad:

Berrigan, T. Briscoe, Cusack, Dowes, Fitzgibbon, Hall, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Long, Manu, O'Meley, Radford, Tansey, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Whiting, Yeaman.

Pick: Hull +10 3pts @ 2 with VCBet

 
Hull KR v Salford



Sunday 7th February 3pm
 
I'm not convinced by Hull KR. They have let old timers Gene, Fozzard and Aizue leave along with Fitzhenry and Esders, have Ben Galea and Chev Walker injured and have added Cook, Ratu, Josh Hodgson and Clinton. I don't see any improvement with those changes. I would be very surprised if they don't go backwards this season as most of their rivals have strengthened. Paul Cooke is set to try his hand at loose forward with Jake Webster in the unfamiliar position of stand-off. They'll be competitive and win games, probably including this opener, but the overall signs are ominous.

Salford have looked to youth and have brought in youngsters like Matty Smith, Tyrer, Gibson and Broughton who have learnt their trade at the very best clubs and are now looking for a regular opportunity. Stefan Ratchford has taken all the plaudits, making the England train-on squad, and he will need to produce now Richie Myler has gone.

I think Salford can push Rovers here. Rovers probably have the stronger team but in terms of the handicap but I think they are over-rated here. I envisage a battle and wouldn't completely rule out an away win whilst I find a Rovers landslide more difficult to comprehend. I had Rovers by 10pts.
 
I'm still waiting for the official announcement of the squads but have done some research so I am pretty sure there will be no surprises.

Pick: Salford +14 3pts @ 1.91 with Stan James or William Hill
 
No lines yet for the Northern Rail fixtures so if something catches my eye there may well be another article to follow and I've also got some spread betting thoughts if the prices are right.
 
The Man