Super League Round 4 (Friday)

A GIANT PRICE: Kevin Brown is a great shout to bag the first try at 20-1

It's been a tough start to my debut rugby league tipping blog, thanks largely due to busy recruiting in the off-season and some surprising results. But having now seen all the contenders in action a few times, hopefully you can all cash in on some decent price winners...

Harlequins v Huddersfield (Friday)

Did any of you fancy Harlequins to top the standings after three games? No, me neither, but I’m backing Huddersfield to bring a touch of normality to Super League XVI on Friday night.

Quins stunned Leeds last week with a well-deserved 36-26 success at Headingley, but it’s worth pointing out that the Rhinos were missing some key names.

Narrow wins over Catalans and Crusaders proceeded that win in West Yorkshire, but 2-5 (Betfred) Huddersfield will provide young Quins coach Rob Powell with his sternest test to date.

Nathan Brown’s Giants boast a clean bill of health and, with the exception of a below-par effort at Castleford, have looked very impressive in wins over Hull FC (20-10) and Warrington (28-18).

Stand-off Kevin Brown just keeps on improving and was the catalyst for all the Giants best attacking moves against the Airlie Birds last week. Back Huddersfield’s captain to lead by example by grabbing the first try as Quins finally taste defeat.

Winner: Huddersfield to win (2-5 Betfred)
Score Tip: Giants to win by 13+ points (7-4 Blue Square)
First Tryscorer: Kevin Brown (20-1 Skybet)

Hull FC v Crusaders (Friday)

Three successive defeats to open the campaign has intensified the pressure on Hull coach Richard Agar and I think this clash is a tough one to call.

I’ve seen enough from Iestyn Harris’ team to suggest the Welsh will be competitive this season and Crusaders are an eye-catching price at 9-4 with Victor Chandler.

Sean Long’s long standing Achilles’ injury rules out the veteran scrum-half and though Australian’s Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O’Meley bring plenty of power down the middle, I think Hull really are lacking a creative spark right now.

At a short 2-5 (Stan James), the Airlie Birds offer little value and I certainly rate Crusaders as a decent outside bet at 9-4 (Stan James). If you do fancy Hull to finally deliver, then I’d definitely advise taking a punt on a small margin of victory to find a decent price - Stan James offer 13-2 on a Hull win by 1-5 points.

Winner: Crusaders to win (9-4 Stan James)
Score Tip: Back up bet of Hull to win by 1-5 points (13-2 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Tom Briscoe (10-1 William Hill)

Salford v Wigan (Friday)

Shaun McRae has been given a month's leave from Salford on health grounds and that's definitely a smart move, because a visit from the champions is not what they need at The Willows right now.

Seriously though, McRae should have taken leave on health grounds years ago. Perhaps ITV's Biggest Loser has finally inspired Sky Sports' fattest pundit into action.

I doubt McRae's absence will have little effect on proceedings in this one though, where Wigan, despite a few weary legs no doubt from their tussle with St George, are easy winners at 1-5 with Hills.

Amos Roberts was the best player in Super League before injury struck last term and now, with some decent game time under his belt, he can run riot against a Salford side already thrashed by heavy scores against Crusaders and Saints this campaign. Roberts is 11-1 with sportingbet to grab the opening try.

The Reds win at Wakey last week will count for little against the Cherry and Whites. A Wigan win by 41+ points at 10-1 with Betfred is not out of the question.

Winner: Wigan to win (1-5 William Hill)
Score Tip: Wigan to win by 41+ points (10-1 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Amos Roberts (11-1 sportingbet)