This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

Leeds v Huddersfield



16th July 20:00 GMT

Another Super League wager for tonight and it is one that I fancy quite strongly. Leeds meet Huddersfield at Headingley on the back of a disappointing display last time out against Hull KR but there has been a severe over-reaction from our bookmaker friends. Leeds admittedly have been disjointed at times this season but they had put together a fine run of form prior to last weekend in disposing of St.Helens, Warrington and Wigan in the cup, all very top sides. They do have their blips as witnessed in the home defeat to Crusaders but I feel they aren't too far away. Even in defeat last week it could have been a different story as they bombed a host of chances. It was a game, with a different bounce of the ball, they could have won.

Huddersfield meanwhile comfortable disposed of Crusaders last time out but I'm not convinced their form is anything to write home about. They normally beat the poor sides and lose to the top ones but they even suffered a hammering at Castleford a fortnight ago and I simply can't see them matching Leeds. Man of Steel Brett Hodgson misses out with injury and a lot of their danger in attack comes from him.

For Leeds forwards Ali Lauitiiti and Kylie Leuluai are set to return and there is a chance that Danny Buderus could feature. All in all if Buderus comes through Leeds will probably have their strongest looking side of the season.
I was a little shocked to see the handicaps as low as 8pts and I had the mark in the mid teens. The bookmakers obviously rate the teams differently to me, let’s see who's right. Make sure you get your money on quickly because I can guarantee my cash will only force the price one way
 
Leeds Rhinos squad:

Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, McShane, Clarkson, Smith.
 
Huddersfield Giants squad:

Cudjoe, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Gilmour, Wild, Finnigan, D. Griffin, Drew, Lawrence, Faiumu, Grix, Aspinwall, Patrick, McGillvary, Horne, Brough.
 
Pick: Leeds -8 4pts @ 1.91 with Betinternet
 
 
Batley v Widness



18th July 16:00 GMT

The lower league teams get their day in the sun at Blackpool on Sunday with the final of the Northern Rail cup. Batley face the holders Widnes and again I am having trouble understanding the bookmakers mark.

Batley were magnificent in their semi final victory at Leigh as their swarming defence stifled the hosts. To anyone who knows this game it was understandable that there was a reaction in their next two games with defeats to Toulouse and Sheffield but the show was back on the road with a victory over Barrow at the weekend.

Widnes have had a very poor season by their standards and only have a 50% league record. They have suffered a big defeat at home to Batley already this season although they earlier recovered well to claim a late draw at Mount Pleasant.

I think Widnes have been priced on reputation and name here and I don't have much between the teams in terms of ability. I would be making Widnes very slight favourites but the 10pts on offer from Stan James is a long way from my thinking. This is a cup final and with no great gap in abilities I expect a tense, committed affair settled by the odd score. I wouldn't put any of the braver off taking the 3.5 on offer for the match odds as I feel it is more than value though obviously the chances of winning are reduced. To me the 10pt handicap is a cracking bet. If the 10pts disappears I'd still be a player with the 8pt start.
 
Pick: Batley +10 4pts @ 1.91 with Stan James
 
The Man