This Week's Rugby League - Part Two

By The Man

It's proving a difficult season to predict these rugby league results and I realise things haven't been going too well. These things happen in gambling and it is a measure of a successful gambler of how well they deal with losing runs. Losing runs happen and staking needs to bear in mind the worst possible outcome, only staking a small percentage of a betting bank to cope. My typical bet is in the region of 0.3% of my bank and whilst my bank is quite large I still wouldn't be recommended going anything above 5%.
 
The second period of the Easter campaign usually has the formbook going out of the window. Teams will be doing it tough with players missing and others going through the pain barrier. The hot weather on Friday will have jaded teams further and I have a couple of bets where I am going with fresh teams against those that faced a tough fixture:
 
Featherstone v Leigh


 
25th April 16:00 GMT

Leigh were involved in a very close affair with Barrow on Friday in energy sapping heat and this is bound to take its toll. Leigh are unbeaten and comfortably disposed of Featherstone in the opening round but I have strong reasons for opposing them here. Featherstone had a lot of injuries early doors but most of those have cleared and they are firing. To me they have retained their status of the best team in the league and I am convinced they will beat Leigh. They talked about this fixture straight after their last against Barrow and have had a long rest. I don't quite feel that Leigh are as good as their lofty position suggests and there will be a reality check after this game. Probably my most confident pick of the season as I had Rovers by 12pts.

Pick: Featherstone -2 4pts @ 1.91 with William Hill
 
Batley v Sheffield


 
25th April 15:00 GMT

Again the freshness of Sheffield is a key factor. Batley were involved in a bruiser with Dewsbury with the pitch very firm. The players inevitably will have picked up knocks. I'm not quite as confident with this one but Sheffield have hit some very good form with wins against Halifax, Dewsbury, Toulouse and York. I'm pretty sure they can keep things close and I'm happy enough with the converted try start. To be fair I would have Batley as the superior side but I'm just hoping fatigue will be a big factor. I had Batley by 2pts.

Pick: Sheffield +6 v 2pts @ 1.91 with Paddy Power
 
The Man