Thursday Night Rugby League

By The Man

Sheffield Eagles v Barrow Raiders




24th June 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 2 (19:30-21:30)

I must admit I was a little surprised when I saw the handicaps on offer for this game. The average handicap is 8pts start to Sheffield with 10pts in a place for lower odds.

Barrow always seem to have a tough game at Sheffield, even in last year's title winning effort they failed to come away with victory, albeit the fact they did get a crucial bonus point to secure top slot.

This season Barrow have so far failed to match the dizzy heights of last, though obviously they have shown patches of their credentials in big cup performances versus Castleford and St.Helens. A week's rest will have done them a world of good as they were beginning to look jaded after their cup exploits. They will be hoping to kick start their season with another run to the Grand Final. To do that they really need to be thinking of a top two finishing position and it is games like tonight that they must win. Barrow have lost Rob Roberts to suspension this week but they will still field a strong looking line-up.

Sheffield themselves have had a season that doesn't match the last. They too had a valiant defeat in the cup, versus Wigan, but so far they have failed to beat any of the topsides. They have Fijian international Aaron Groom returning tonight to add quality and they do boast an array of talent in the likes of Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati and Mitch Stringer.

Last time on television Sheffield imploded with defeat to lowly Keighley. However, I really believe they lacked focus that night. They thought, after an early try, it was going to be oh so easy but then they committed sporting suicide with some ridiculous ball control and offloads. I expect a much more focussed team tonight who will realise they will need to battle for triumph.

For me, as a Barrow fan, I would be more than happy to come away with any sort of victory and it would be no surprise to me if that fails to materialise. I can only envisage a close game with Barrow as marginal favourites. I say the start is too high. I wouldn't put anyone off taking the odds above 3 on the exchanges for a Sheffield win nor the odds of 1.8 for a 10pt start with Stan James though I'll plump for the following:
 
Pick: Sheffield +8 3pts @ 2.0 with Stan James
 
The Man