Thursday Night Rugby League

By The Man

Leigh Centurions v Sheffield Eagles



2nd September 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 4 (19:30-22:00)

The play-offs start tonight in the Championship and these two sides are in a sudden death situation. Leigh have done remarkably well this season. This time last year they were staring relegation in the face and only the financial implosion of Gateshead saved their bacon. Since then Ian Millward returned to take over the coaching role and he will be more than pleased that he has steered his side in to a third place finish. If successful tonight that ensures a further home tie before an elimination game at either Halifax or Featherstone. Leigh boast a new Sports Village that has hosted an England international this season, so off the field they have a strong case for a Super League push. However, they must still get to a Grand Final to ensure that all important playing criteria tick. All the noise is that Widnes are a shoe-in for a franchise but they will be nervous if Leigh make the final, as will a number of established Super League teams that have promised but not delivered new stadia.

Sheffield themselves now play out of Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground and that too is a ground fit for Super League though I'm not convinced they have established a big enough following or even a dormant following to justify inclusion.

Talk of facilities and ticks are for another day; tonight it is all about extending the season and obviously both sides will be highly motivated and benefit from the week's rest due to the Wembley final. This is a repeat game of the final league round when Leigh needed a bonus point to ensure third spot, as did Sheffield themselves for a play-off berth. It was little surprise that they both got what they wanted as Sheffield scraped home by a point.

The venue is reversed for this fixture and Leigh will very much fancy their chances of turning the tables with home advantage. They are quoted as having dual registered Tyrone McCarthey and Lee Mitchell available to boost their side but I noticed both those two have been named in Warrington's 19-man squad travelling to Harlequins. Alas, I can't get any further information on their availability. Sheffield are at pretty much full strength with Alex Rowe back from injury and hoping for an inclusion.

I have to rate Leigh favourites to win this one, they comfortable disposed of Sheffield in their home league fixture and I rate them slightly the better side. That said I recall Leigh being stifled by Batley in the Northern Rail semi final and if Sheffield can get their defence right and frustrate Leigh they have the firepower in the likes of Menzie Yere and Misi Taulapapa to cause some damage. So although I have Leigh as jollies I can't completely rule out a Sheffield victory and that wouldn't be too much of a surprise to me. The bookmakers have pitched their handicap lines between 8pts and 10pts and I have to say I'm tempted to take the visitors at the higher mark. It's not a game where I am going overboard as Leigh could well run away with things but, on balance, I feel the start is a touch high. I had the line between 6-8pts.
 
Pick: Sheffield +10 2pts @ 1.91 Totesport, VCBet, Paddy Power, 888Sport, Ladbrokes

The Man