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| LUKE-ING UP: Luke Robinson is integral to Huddersfield Giants' challenge |
Huddersfield v Wigan
LEAGUE leaders Huddersfield will underline their Grand Final hopes tonight by becoming the first team to beat champions Wigan.
Nathan Brown’s Giants have stormed to four wins from their opening five fixtures, including a 28-18 opening day success over Challenge Cup holders – and my tip to be crowned winners at Old Trafford – Warrington.
The form of stand-off Kevin Brown, the Giants’ newly-appointed captain, has been inspirational, but the truth is that Huddersfield have been knocking on the door for a few years now.
Australian coach Brown has instilled a fantastic, disciplined defensive side to the Giants game, while the likes of the talismanic Brown, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough ensure the League leaders have plenty of creative juices pumping through their veins.
The Giants, who showed all their attacking prowess in a 50-16 mauling of Bradford last week, are 8-13 with Betfred to beat Michael Maguire’s Cherry and Whites, and I rate that as a stunning price.
The Warriors will be missing two of their top performers in brothers Sam and Joel Tomkins through suspension, while Paul Deacon, Pat Richards and Brett Finch are out injured.
The future of missing centre Martin Gleeson is also up in the air and a home win by 13+ points (2-1 Stan James) certainly catches the eye.
This contest does, however, showcase two of the League’s best defences and a Giants’ margin of victory by 6-10 points could prove a much safer option for punters (13-2 Betfred).
As for the first try market, Danny Brough has two tries to his name already and looks a class act now he has had time to settle in at one of Super League’s big contenders. Brough is 16-1 across the board, while the equally influential Brown is a stand-out 16-1 (Skybet) to round off the scoring with the final try of the game.
Winner: Giants (8-13 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Danny Brough (16-1 Skybet)
Crusaders v Catalans
Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris got off to flyer with a
42-12 win over Salford in Cardiff, but is now looking to end a run of four successive defeats.
Notoriously poor travellers Catalans should provide the former Great Britain stand-off with the perfect opportunity to set that record straight and the Welsh are good value for the two points at 10-11 with Stan James.
Captain Jack Sparrow look-alike Jarrod Sammut has started the season in fine form, with five tries to his name already, and is 16-1 (Skybet) to grab the first four-pointer of the contest.
Winner: Crusaders (10-11 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Jarrod Sammut (16-1 Skybet)
Hull FC v Wakefield
THE Airlie Birds came mightily close to toppling Wigan last week, but will bag their second win of the campaign against the Wildcats (1-20 Hills).
A 42-18 thumping of Catalans in their last outing at the KC Stadium suggests Hull should have few problems seeing off John Kear’s rock-bottom side.
Wakey have lost four from five this term and are struggling to get over the whitewash – just 88 points to their name thus far. Nigerian-born Will Sharp has notched up four tries already this season, and can get the hosts up and running with the first tonight at 8-1 with Skybet.
Winner: Hull FC (1-20 Hills)
First Tryscorer: Will Sharp (8-1 Skybet)
Salford v Hull KR
AUSTRALIAN man-mountain Willie Mason made a terrific debut in Rovers’ 40-22 win over Crusaders last week and can inspire Justin Morgan’s men to a third win of the campaign.
Mason was at his tackle-busting and offloading best last week, while Salford, who have shipped more points than any other team, were getting spanked by an injury-hit Leeds Rhinos.
Back Ben Galea to get the first try (16-1 Skybet) in a Robins win (2-5 Betfred).
Winner: Hull KR (2-5 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Ben Galea (16-1 Skybet)
