Thursday Night Rugby League

By The Man

Halifax RLFC v Featherstone



10th June 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 4 (19:30-21:30)

Leaders Featherstone probably face their toughest test of the season as they visit Halifax and an intriguing clash is in store.

Halifax's season is in contrast to last year's campaign. Then they started off like a house on fire before they ran out of steam and looked decidedly average. They have endured a stuttering start this time out but have slowly but surely started to gather some momentum with recent fine victories at Leigh and over champions Barrow an indication of this. When in their poor spell they were on the wrong end of a hammering against tonight's opponents but this is a different 'Fax outfit. There has been talk of revenge and I think we will have a focussed, highly charged home team.

Featherstone have had a magnificent season and have been very impressive. Their swarming defence has been backed up with an impressive attack and they too have defeated all the top sides. They have had a couple of fairly recent blips in a home defeat to Toulouse and a last gasp victory at home to winless Dewsbury but I feel they can put that down to a little fatigue. The Toulouse game came shortly after a draining effort against Warrington in the cup whilst a long trip to France preceded the Dewsbury fixture. If their game plan is to be effective they need lots of energy.

Featherstone will have recharged their batteries after a weekend off and I feel we will see the best of Featherstone. However, I am not entirely sure that will be enough. Halifax are a very tough prospect at home and their half backs Ben Black and Luke Branighan seem to have forged an understanding and with it a potent attack. I have very little between the two sides but am swayed slightly to Halifax for two reasons. Home advantage is one and that has to be worth a few points start whilst I am taking on trust that the Feath' energy levels are restored. For those reasons I have Halifax between four and six point favourites and that is exactly where I find the bookmaker prices. Even the total points markets make little appeal. You always have to expect a high scoring game when Halifax are involved but the Featherstone defence, at its best, is capable of snuffing it out and I would be reluctant to take prices in the mid fifties. I'll be honest when I say I have absolutely no clue how this one will go; it could be that Featherstone grind out a low scoring victory or more likely a points fest where Fax should have the slight edge. So no account bet for me but for those who like to play layer on the exchanges, and let others make the mistakes, here are my prices:
 
Halifax 1.5
Featherstone 2.5
Draw 
 
Halifax (-4.5) 1.83
Featherstone (+4.5) 1.87
 
Halifax (-16.5) 3.65
Featherstone (+16.5) 1.21
 
Halifax (+10.5) 1.11
Featherstone (-10.5) 5
 
The Man