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| FRIENDS REUNITED: Wolves boss Tony Smith can guide his team to victory against former club Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium |
LEEDS RHINOS endured an injury-hit start to last season and they are having no better luck so far this campaign, with four first teamers ruled out for the trip to Wolves.
New coach Brian McDermott tasted success in his first two contests against Bradford and Hull FC, but a combination of injuries and a lacklustre performance saw Leeds fall to pace-setters Quins last Friday.
The Rhinos, 13-8 with Betfred, were without Brent Webb, Carl Ablett, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire through injury against Quins and require a giant effort to edge out a Wire side so impressive in turning over St Helens last week.
Kyle Leuluai is now another injury casualty, though Ablett, Webb and Bailey are all back in contention for this clash. It should be a great contest, but I'm backing Warrington boss boss Tony Smith to bag two points against his former club.
Lee Briers helped himself two tries in that success over Saints and is 20-1 (Stan James) to grab the first try, while the hosts are 1-2 with Betfred to prevail.
Leeds have enough talent to put up a fight, but I can see a Wolves win by 6-10 points (5-1 Hills), with Richie Myler's fine support play making him a terrific price to grab the final try at 16-1 with Skybet.
Winner: Warrington to win (1-2 Betfred)
Score Tip: Wolves to win by 11-15 points (7-1 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Lee Briers (20-1 Stan James)
Catalans Dragons v St Helens (Saturday)
WITH Kyle Eastmond's end-of-season switch to Union now confirmed, St Helens are free to focus on racking up some points rather than hanging onto their best young talent and a trip to France is just what the doctor ordered.
WITH Kyle Eastmond's end-of-season switch to Union now confirmed, St Helens are free to focus on racking up some points rather than hanging onto their best young talent and a trip to France is just what the doctor ordered.
Last week's loss to Warrington will give Saints all the incentive they need to bounce back to winning ways and at 4-11 with Betfred, the bookies clearly agree that the visitors have this one in the bag.
After a surprise loss to Wakefield on home soil, Catalans responded well with a shock win of their own at Hull KR, but I think Saints should be clear winners here and bet365's 11-8 on an away win by 13+ points should be snapped up.
As for a first tryscorer, there's only one man to back. Eastmond is 14-1 with Hills to bag the first four-pointer and, with the speculation out of the window, he'll show his worth.
Winner: St Helens to win (4-11 Betfred)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 13+ points (11-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 Stan James)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 13+ points (11-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 Stan James)
