This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

After identifying a number of wagers in last weekend's Challenge Cup it is back to the league campaign and unfortunately my numbers tie in with most of what the bookmakers have to offer. It perhaps isn't surprising, we have all seen the same action and I guess drawn similar conclusions as to the merits of each team. I'll still be playing layer on the exchanges but my prices will be similar to the high street. I do have the advantage, however, of being able to lay a decent sized bet, something most half decent punters are unable to do. However, I do have one wager and hope for more later from the lower leagues.
 
Wigan v Harlequins

 

23rd April 20:00 GMT

It's top versus bottom and a few weeks ago I would be piling in to this line. However, Wigan have started to pick up one or two injuries with Amos Roberts, Daryll Goulding, Thomas Leuluai and Harrison Hansen on the sidelines. Shaun Ainscough has been recalled from a loan spell at Castleford to fill the wing berth whilst a couple of promising youngsters stand by for action.

By contrast, Harlequins are starting to get a few of their established players back on the park after a wretched start to the season. Luke Dorn returned last weekend and they also have had Rob Purdham, Karl Temata and Ryan Esders back in recent weeks and, at last, there is a Super League feel about the team.

It is little surprise that their results and performances have picked up too. An honourable defeat against St.Helens was followed with victory in the cup over Wakefield.

However, even with a close to first choice side they are still a struggling outfit a long, long way from what Wigan have produced so far this season. Wigan have covered this handicap in every single home fixture this season and the quality of the opposition has been much stronger than what 'Quins have to offer.

They will have benefitted in terms of freshness with the run-out to lower league opposition in the cup and although their defence leaked I suspect a lack of focus rather than any lasting problems was the cause. Harlequins will win games if they keep their players fit but it won't be this fixture. Poor teams tend to be very inconsistent and can go from hammerings one week to a competitive performance the next. Even if they muscle up I still see in the likes of Sam and Joel Tomkins, Pat Richards and Sean O'Loughlin having too much quality across the park. This could be a really big score or something close to the handicap and I'll take my chances. My handicap had Wigan by 24pts.
 
Wigan Warriors squad:

Phelps, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S. Tomkins, Fielden, Riddell, J. Tomkins, S. O'Loughlin, Prescott, McIlorum, Bailey, Paleaaesina, O'Carroll, Ainscough, Mossop, Farrell, Marsh, Walker.
 
Harlequins RL squad:

Bryan, Clubb, Dorn, Esders, Gale, Howell, Jones, Jones-Bishop, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, Orr, Penny, Purdham, Randall, Sharp, Temata, Ward, Wilkes, Williamson.

Pick: Wigan -18 2pts @ 1.91 with Bluesq or Coral
 
The Man