Thursday Night Rugby League

By The Man

Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions



8th July 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports HD2

Featherstone face Leigh in a top of the table clash where victory for the home team will all but guarantee pole position and with it all the advantages it brings come play-off time.

Featherstone have impressed me greatly this season but I sense a very slight drop in their level of performances in the last few weeks. They struggled to see off bottom of the table Keighley at the weekend and before that were given a run for their money by Leigh. They have lost star PNG international Jesse Joe Parker due to a family illness in his homeland and probably their best performer Tom Saxton has an ankle injury.

Leigh meanwhile have been slightly flattered by their lofty position and they have suffered recent defeats to Barrow, Halifax and Batley twice. I don't believe that Leigh are going to hold on to the second spot and I don't believe they can match the ability of the Featherstone team. I watched them in their recent reversal at Barrow and the 10pt margin of defeat flattered them.

For tonight's fixture I expect a home victory and if Rovers hit their straps it could be relatively comfortable. They have disposed of all the top teams this season so that form is in the bank and they won't lack motivation.

Unfortunately I handicapped this one in the 10-12pts range and that is where the bookmakers pitch their lines. However, there is a slight favouritism for Leigh +10.5 on the exchanges and I am more than happy to lay them odds on. I have my price for Leigh in at 1.91 and I have some matched with another chunk waiting. No account bet but you are more than welcome to join me in the queue. An absence of Thursday night layers almost guarantees you'll get a match with the TV betting junkies needing their fix.
 
The Man