This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

A difficult week to get involved with the Super League fixtures. England play France on Saturday and many clubs have lost players to this international game. Obviously the bookmakers are aware of this and have tried to factor the absentees in to the handicaps on offer. Leeds are most affected and they could well struggle to contain an in form Harlequins side. The Warrington squad looks particularly strong and there will be still an impressive line-up despite Adrian Morley and Chris Bridge missing. Wigan are asking their Tomkins' brothers and Sean O'Loughlin to double up on Sunday if they come through unscathed. All in all it is a difficult time for both layers and punters and a certain amount of guesswork has to be done. I have done my own guesswork and I am going to have a small dabble:
 
St.Helens v Huddersfield

 
11th June 20:00 GMT

St.Helens miss James Roby and James Graham to the international and Kyle Eastmond remains injured but it is still a formidable ask to take the points away from Knowsley Road. They still boast proven campaigners like Leon Pryce, Matt Gidley and Keiron Cunningham and these experienced players will guide the youngsters.  Huddersfield also have their stand-off Kevin Brown absent and he has been a vital part of their success. Huddersfield came out of their slump with a big victory at Bradford last weekend but they still struggle against the very best sides and despite their absentees Saints are still a top side.

There is little doubt that this is an opportunity for Huddersfield to post a rare victory but I still feel there has been a slight over reaction to the missing internationals. Without the international I would have Saints as double digit favourites, with it and I'm lowering to eight points, some bookmakers go four points, I say that's too low. I won't recommend an exchange bet because the money could go but there's even bigger prices there as I type for decent cash even allowing for commission. The match odds on the exchanges are also above 1.6 when the best bookmaker price is 1.5. Clearly other punters feel that the bookmakers haven't reacted enough, a view I don't share and I've already helped myself to some of the prices on offer and wouldn't put off anyone else doing the same.

Pick: St.Helens -4 3pts @ 1.91 with Skybet or Betfred
 
The Man