ST HELENS V WIGAN
Friday 5th September 8pm UK Time

Some may think that Saints would want to take their foot off the gas a little having just won the Challenge Cup and gearing up for the play offs, but i'm having none of that. They are still mathetmatically not certain of the regular season winners spot but it would take a loss to Wigan along with an almighty Leeds victory, or vice versa to cause that to occur and while I accept that Leeds should do the business against Wakefield, Saints will be on their mettle.
 
Forget for a moment league positions and trophys and look at this on a basic level, it is Wigan that they are playing. Saints have an intense rivalry with Wigan and will give nothing away.
Maybe I should try telling Warrington fans that after the last season finale where Wigan beat Saints to make Wire miss out on a play off spot, oops!
But even that information is skewed because Saints were assured of the regular season title already and more of an issue really is the fact that it was played at the JJB stadium. No gifts will be on offer at GPW Recruitment Stadium (Knowsley Road to you, me or any other punter, fan or player), and I expect the Saints to pick a strong side.
 
Obviously Paul Sculthorpe will be missing from the Saints side and the only other change is that Nick Fozzard will be back into the fold. A fully fit and firing Saints side should make light work of this Wigan team that has had a pretty patchy season on the whole. Littered with the sublime and the ridiculous, Wigan have been hard to trust.
 
I would take the -12 on offer at even money and look for the Saints to seal the Regular Season title and march on. Wigan on the other hand look likely to be away at Catalans if they lose tonight and the Huddersfield Giants with nothing but pride to play for expectedly fall. I expect a motivated Bradford team to well and truly put Castleford to the sword.
 
RECOMMENDATION - 3 Points on St Helens -12 @ 2 (Bet365)
 
WAKEFIELD V LEEDS
Friday 5th September 8PM Uk Time

It has been a bit of a nearly season for Wakefield. Full of promise at times but ultimately the side were probably short of a real talisman in the line up, like a Trent Barrett has been for Wigan.
When they have been bad, the Wildcats have been as bad as anyone (Castleford barring) and it must leave John Kear tearing out the imaginary hair on his shiny bald noggin!
 
I fear a potential hammering tonight for Wakefield if i'm honest. Leeds will be going in really looking to win handsomely as they will work on the 'you never know' premise whereby the 51 points deficit could still mathematically be cut. Leeds may have a target of winning by 30+ points and seeing what happens. I personally have already expressed my views on Saints but try telling this Rhinos side that.
With an almost full strength side to pick from and having had a nice two week break I expect Leeds to continue their fine run of recent form and gain a comprehensive victory here tonight.
 
Wakefield may put in a spirited effort but a handicap of 12points is nothing really when you compare the respective qualities on offer in both teams and could easily be surpassed. The price has been nibbled at slightly but 1.83 is still backable.
 
RECOMMENDATION - 3.5 Points on Leeds -12 @1.83 (Stan James)
 
Enjoy the action!