Thursday Night Rugby League

By The Man

Dewsbury Rams v Sheffield Eagles



20th May 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 4 (19:30-21:30)

For tonight's televised fixture in the Championship I'm afraid I have failed to find an edge. In my mind Sheffield are the stronger outfit and after a slow start have started to find some form. They have recorded three consecutive victories over Whitehaven, Batley and Toulouse but in truth these are fixtures they would have expected to have won. Never the less, win them they have. Dewsbury have shown improved form despite defeats to Leigh and Barrow and have the benefit of having a week’s rest in contrast to Sheffield who play their third game in nine days. Dewsbury are starting to get some of their injured personnel on the paddock and I certainly wouldn't be wanting to oppose them. Despite being winless their accumulation of bonus points has kept them in touch. With Whitehaven's wretched form they have a real chance of avoiding relegation but it is fixtures like this that they must start to post victories.

The odds on offer have failed to entice a wager with the bookmakers but I have a sneaking feeling this could be Dewsbury's night. If I had a gun to my head I would take them with the highest start. Unfortunately that bet would be speculative as they haven't actually proved themselves as victors. Add in two woeful home results against Keighley and Whitehaven and you can see why my doubts persist. All in all a 6pt start to Sheffield seems about right to me. I'll play layer on the exchanges with both teams odds on with the 6.5pt handicap line and hope the punters make the wrong move.
 
The Man