This Week's Rugby League - Part Two

By The Man

St.Helens v Hull



Saturday 6th February 18:00 GMT

In my fixed odds write up I stated I expected an improved performance from Hull and a fairly tight game is in prospect. In the early part of the season I like selling points when there is a competitive fixture involved. Attacking combinations not being tried and trusted, conditions underfoot and a real chance of very poor weather all put things in your favour.

St.Helens have a reputation as a free flowing attacking side but last season it was an illusion. In the latter half of the season many of their games were dour and they had to scrap hard for their points. There isn't the pace of old. They are very much priced on reputation. I wouldn't put anyone off a sell of match points at 42 but I prefer the sell of the Saints as I think Sporting are a touch high with supremacy too. I would have pitched the pts at 38 and supremacy 6 giving a Saints pts expectation of 22. There's plenty of fat in a quote of 26.

Pick: Sell St.Helens Pts 0.3pts stake @ 26 with Sporting Index


Swinton v Doncaster


 
7th February 15:00 GMT

Swinton have recruited well in the off season and they rightly go in to this game as favourites. Coach Paul Smith has picked up some quality in Dodd, Wilson, Joseph, Smith and Watson.

Doncaster have had to completely rebuild their side after last season's financial problems and they will be looking to consolidate in the lower division. They have picked up a lot of players that were surplus to requirements at other clubs but on the whole were in a higher division. You don't get signed by the likes of Leeds or Hull KR without some promise.

I have little doubt that Swinton will be the victors but the start here is very big. Unfortunately I've ruined the start by having my tuppence on and it has been cut from an initial 22pt handicap. I've had to reduce the stake as a result but it is still some way from my 14pt tissue.

Pick: Doncaster +18  2pts @ 1.91 with Bet365
 
The Man