This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

Just one handicap selection this week from Super League as I more or less agree with all the other lines on offer. Pinnacle sports have entered the world of rugby betting and it will be well worth having an account with them as they have very low margins and are known to take a lumpy bet. They are also pricing total points up early which is a dangerous game for them to play, the weather is such a big factor on those lines and I like the look of one or two of the games this weekend.
 
Catalan Dragons v Salford

 

22nd May 18:30 GMT

I am not going to get too carried away with Salford's victory over St.Helens last weekend. They had the benefit of a week off and were hurting from a thrashing in Scotland. They now go in to a game where there is an expectation that they can win and I'm not convinced about their consistency.

That said, they meet Catalan at just the right time. Catalan are ravaged by injuries and have added Jean-Philippe Baile with a broken arm to their extensive list that includes Clint Greenshields, Casey McGuire, Chris Walker and Cyril Gossard. Add in the suspension of David Ferriol and the French look light. They have added Brent Sherwin from Castleford who should help with direction but he has hardly set the world alight in his time in Yorkshire.

I'm pretty sure that Catalan have almost given up on their Super League season and everything is geared towards Challenge Cup success. They face Batley in the quarters next week and should progress to one game from Wembley. If there are any injury doubts or anything picked up during the game then I'm sure the players will be wrapped in cotton wool.

Given the French team's problems I see this as a winnable game for Salford yet most of the bookmakers have produced a line that doesn't take full account of their problems. The line was a general 8pts but punters have forced down the layers but even money +6pts is equally as good. I had Catalan by 2pts.
 
Catalans Dragons squad:

Bell, Raguin, Sa, Pelo, Bosc, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson, Carlaw, Touxagas, K. Bentley, Fakir, Casty, Gigot, Stacul, Vaccari, A. Bentley, Sherwin.
 
Salford City Reds squad:

Fitzpatrick, J. Smith, Henry, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, Jewitt, Sidlow, Alker, Broughton, Sibbit, Wood, Swain, M. Smith, Littler, Leuluai, Tyrer, Holdsworth, Boyle

Pick: Salford +6 3pts @ 2.0 with Sportingbet & William Hill

I'm not sure who has taken over the odds compiling but for me the lines in all three of the below games are too low. In fact I would argue that the lines are too low in every single game priced up but I'll content myself with the three above. It is true they have pitched their marks roughly around the average but the average will rise. The games so far have been played in the dark winter months with poor weather and soft underfoot conditions. The grounds are now firming up and the forecast is good for the weekend. This will improve handling, increase the speed of the game and produce more tries. Take Advantage.

Warrington v Huddersfield



23rd May 15:00 GMT

Pick: Over 44.5pts 3pts @ 1.92 with Pinnacle
 
Wakefield v Harlequins



23rd May 15:30 GMT

Pick: Over 45.5pts 3pts @ 1.92 with Pinnacle
 
Crusaders v Wigan



22nd May 18:00 GMT

Pick: Over 46.5pts 3pts @ 1.92 with Pinnacle
 
The Man