Super League Betting Tips - Round 19 (Saturday / Sunday)

Wigan add Hock to their armoury for Giant clash

BACK TO IMPRESS: Gareth Hock will want to make up for lost time

Wigan v Huddersfield

THE return of Gareth Hock from his two-year drugs ban adds spice to what is already a mouthwatering Super League contest.

The 27-year-old is set to be back on the Wigan bench just 48 hours after the expiry of his high-profile ban, and all eyes will be on how Hock copes after such a lengthy absence.

Hock was banned in June 2009 after testing positive for cocaine, but began training two months ago after getting the green light from the RFL, so will not be ridiculously far off the pace.

Before his enforced spell on the sidelines, Hock had established himself as one of the most destructive second-rowers in the game.

An explosive tackle-buster, always looking for the offload, Hock appeared destined to play a leading role for both club and country.

And who is to say that the Warriors youth academy product will not now live up to his former billing?

Whether Hock can make an impact from the interchange bench against the Giants remains to be seen, but I do expect the champions to wrap up another two points.

Third-placed Wigan are a point behind Huddersfield in second, having played one game less and are 3-10 with Betfred to seal the points that will see them leapfrog their opponents.

Currently just one point off leaders Warrington, it’s fair to say that Wigan are not struggling in the defence of their crown, but Hock can certainly add a new dimension to their game.

There is not one Wigan name in the top 25 players for offloads this season, but expect plenty when Hock is on the field.

Wigan’s game is all about territory and great movement with ball in hand. Wigan’s man in possession enjoys far more options than his opposite number. The Giants rely on a great defence, strong kicking game and the creative flair of Kevin Brown.

But, with Danny Brough out injured, I expect the Giants to fall just short. Nathan Brown’s men have made the second most attacking kicks this term and are third in the rankings for kicks in general play.

Scott Grix is a quality deputy for Brough, but against Wigan you need your top man pulling the strings. I’m tipping a home win by 1-12 points, priced at 11-5 with Stan James.

As for the first tryscorer market, George Carmont stands out at 12-1 (Hills), while Hock is 25-1 (Hills) to grab the final score – a scenario possibly written in the stars.

Winner: Wigan (3-10 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Wigan by 1-12 points (11-5 STAN JAMES)
First Tryscorer: George Carmont (12-1 WILLIAM HILL)

Best of the rest 

Catalan Dragons (3-10 Betfred) have flown up the table of late and can stretch their unbeaten home run to six games against Castleford today.

The French have seen off Wigan and Huddersfield in their last two games at the Stade Gilbert Brutus and Australian scrum-half Scott Dureau (left) is pulling all the right strings.

The Tigers are showing signs of improvement after five defeats in six, drawing against Wigan two weeks ago and following that up with a 15-8 success at Salford last time out. 

Terry Matterson’s side, however, are far too over-reliant on sensational stand-off Rangi Chase, which is making them easy for team’s to read. Catalans look well-priced to win by 1-12 points at 13-5 with Stan James.

Elsewhere, Hull KR (4-7 Hills) can give Justin Morgan a timely boost at Harlequins, while Hull FC should prevail when they visit Wakefield – 3-10 Stan James.

Super League Betting Tips - Round 19 (Friday)

Hungry Wolves will maul Saints

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE: Ben Westwood's tackling has been ferocious

Warrington v St Helens 

Wolves are aiming to seal their first ever Super League double over St Helens and I'm backing Tony Smith's men to do just that at 3-10 with Betfred.

Warrington have been sensational at times this season, top points scorers, best defence and looking very much Grand Final material.

Smith's table-toppers have led the standings for 10 of the 18 rounds this season and look too good for Saints right now.

Royce Simmons visitors may only be three points off the Wire, but punters should read little into that misleading statistic.

Take more notice of this – Wolves have racked up 191 more points than Saints so far this campaign and shipped 103 less points.

At times, a fierce defence and an expansive attack orchestrated by Lee Briers has seen Wolves looking almost unstoppable, while Saints showed very little against Wigan last week to suggest they are ready for this assignment.

With the exception of two defeats to Huddersfield, Wolves have been in great shape against Super League's big hitters this term.

Leeds have been hit for an aggregate score of 82-30, Wigan were humbled 24-6 on their own patch and Saints were also beaten on home turf, 25-18 back in round three.

Saints lacklustre 32-10 loss to the champions last week, allied with a run of four away games without a win, means their price of 11-4 (Boylesports) has little appeal.

Warrington's defence has been brutal this season. Ben Westwood's efforts in particular have hugely impressed, though it is very much a disciplined team unit.

In attack, the likes of Westood, Gareth Carvell, Paul Wood and Adrian Morley have laid the perfect platform for the likes of Brett Hodgson and Briers to weave their magic and, with two of the best centres around in Chris Bridge and Ryan Atkins, Wolves have plenty of ammunition out wide.

One major aspect to Wolves' play is the amount of offloads they are coming up with – 284 in total, that's 83 more than Saints.

It was a high-profile trait during Smith's reign at Leeds that the Rhinos topped the table for offloads and it is no surprise to see the Wire now succeeding with similar tactics.

On the evidence of what I've seen this season, I am left to think that the only question for punters is how many points Warrington will run out winners by.

Led by their two instrumental James's, Roby and Graham, Saints will no doubt put up a fight, but a Wolves win by 21-30 points is worth a punt at 5-1 with Paddy Power.

Warrington to win both halves also catches the eye at 11-8 with bet365.

I've always sang the praises of Bridge, a hugely talented and creative ball-runner, but he also knows the way to the line and he is available at 12-1 with Betfred to grab the first try.

Winner: Warrington (3-10 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Wolves by 21-30 points (5-1 PADDY P) / Wolves win both halves (11-8 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Chris Bridge (12-1 BETFRED) 

11-1 Jones-Bishop will lead Rhinos charge

RHINO RETURN: Jones-Bishop is a great prospect for the Blue and Amber

Leeds v Bradford 

These two teams headed into this corresponding fixture last season in similar predicaments and played out a thrilling 20-20 draw.

Once again Leeds are struggling to establish themselves among the top four, while Bradford, at this stage at least, look no better than 12 months ago.

Skybet offer 25-1 on another share of the spoils, but I think Leeds should have too much for their West Yorkshire rivals.

The Rhinos defence has been shoddy at best this term, but 20 points shipped in their last two games reflects a modicum of improvement in that area.

In attack, the Blue and Amber have run hot and cold, but even if the likes of Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and Brent Webb are just luke warm, you sense the hosts should have too much quality for the Bulls.

Much will be made of Matt Diskin's return to Headingley and I'm confident the home faithful will give the hooker the reception he deserves after more than a decade with Leeds.

With that exception, though, I doubt Diskin's return will be an enjoyable one. Bradford have shown few signs of improvement this season and sneaking into the play-offs is surely coach Mick Potter's most realistic target.

Two wins in nine is hardly helping the Bull's cause and, short of ideas in attack, I think Leeds' defence will cope well enough, despite conceding a few points along the way.

Young winger Ben Jones-Bishop was on fire at the start of the season before injury struck and he can grab the first try of the game on his return to action – best priced 11-1 with Totesport.

McGuire was back on the scoresheet in last week's narrow 12-7 victory at Crusaders and is 12-1 with Betfred to run-in the last try.

Winner: Leeds (2-7 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Leeds by 16-20 points (11-2 BETFRED)
First Tryscorer: Ben Jones-Bishop (11-1 TOTESPORT)


Crusaders v Salford

Crusaders are looking to clinch a hat-trick of wins over the Reds this year and they look great value to do so at 10-11 with Betfred.

Iestyn Harris' Welsh outfit smashed Salford 42-12 in their Cardiff season opener and edged out the Reds 16-10 in round eight.

After a shock 18-16 win at leaders Warrington, Salford were brought back down to earth by Castleford last week and I think basement club Crusaders can continue their recent dominance over the Reds, having won the previous five League meetings.

Harris thought his team were unfortunate to come away from their last contest against the Rhinos empty handed, but he'll be in better spirits after this 80 minutes.

Aussie stand-off Michael Witt is key for Crusaders and he looks nicely priced for the opening score at 16-1 with Betfred.

Winner: Crusaders (10-11 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Crusaders by 1-12 points (2-1 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Michael Witt (16-1 BETFRED)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 18 (Friday)

Wig wham bang, thank you Sam!

DEMOLITION SAM: Tomkins is a match-winner for the Cherry and Whites

St Helens v Wigan

IF the last two games between Wigan and Saints are anything to go by, punters can expect another closely fought thriller this evening.

Widnes’ Stobart Stadium hosts this season’s third installment of what is always an enthralling 80 minutes, as two of Super League’s fiercest rivals fight it out for local bragging rights once more.

Liam Farrell’s last-gasp try sealed a sensational 28-24 Wigan success in April, while Saints bagged a unlikely point with a stunning comeback to draw 16-16 in their Cardiff season opener.

So, with just four points to separate these two teams after 180 minutes of action this campaign and level on 23 points in the standings, taking a punt on another tight contest is surely the best way to cash in.

Victor Chanlder offer 18-1 on the draw which is well worth a flutter. These two sides are evenly matched, with four wins apiece from the last nine derby clashes.

There have been a remarkable seven stalemates already this term and, notably for punters, Wigan and Saints have featured in five of those.

That said, with so much kicking ability on show – Wigan’s Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards, and St Helens’ Jamie Foster and Lee Gasklell, to name a few, Betfred’s 5-1 on a drop goal being scored seems to be a stand-out bet and a great way for punters to cover their stake on the draw.

The after-effects of last Friday’s Origin International, allied to difficult playing conditions, were crucial as both last year’s Grand Finalists were held to surprise draws at Castleford and Bradford on Sunday.

Tomkins and George Carmont return for the Cherry and Whites, while Saints’ centre Francis Meli is back for the hosts, though hooker Scott Moore has been left out after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Tomkins could well be the key for the champions. His performances at full-back are currently in a league of their own.

If you take today’s opposite number Paul Wellens as a comparative benchmark, it’s clear to see that Tomkins gives Michael Maguire’s Warriors a so much more than any other No.1 in the business.

In 14 appearances, Tomkins has six more tries, two more assists, has made 894 metres, busted through 58 more tackles and made 15 extra clean breaks.

Wigan have a distinct advantage in this area. They have a brilliant full-back who also doubles up as a fantastic stand-off. Tomkins has made 87 kicks in general play this term, including two 40-20’s and his support-play ability to score tries, but his creativity to set-up others is unrivalled.

Tomkins is 19-2 with Betfred to grab the first try, while Wigan can edge this by 1-12 points – 15-8 with bet365.

Top Tips: Drop goal to be scored (5-1 BETFRED)
Winner: Wigan (9-5 STAN JAMES), but the draw (18-1 VC) is worth a little flutter
Score Tip: Wigan by 1-12 points (15-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Sam Tomkins (19-2 BETFRED) 

Super Sinfield will make his point

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Leeds' Kevin Sinfield is chasing a new landmark

Crusaders v Leeds 

Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield now needs just seven points to become the second highest scorer in Super League history and the Rhinos legend should have that accolade wrapped up after 80 minutes against rock-bottom Crusaders.

The Rhinos loose forward has racked up 2,370 points in his 14 seasons with the Blue and Amber and should edge past former Wigan captain Andy Farrell's 2,376 to move within touching distance of Paul Deacon with 2,395.

Leeds bounced back from defeats to Warrington and St Helens with an impressive demolition of Hull KR last week and are best priced at 1-5 with Stan James. Ryan Hall weighed in with three tries in that heavy 44-14 success over Rovers, but I'm backing second row forward Weller Hauraki to grab the first try against his old team.

Hauraki is 33-1 with Skybet and a far better prospect than that price reflects. He knows the way to the line and will be pumped up for what is his first outing against the Welsh.

Leeds really need to get their act together if they have serious ambitions of getting back into the top four and, while their defence has been hapless at times this campaign, they still have enough class in attack to win this by 21-25 points at 9-1 with Coral.

Winner: Leeds (1-5 STAN JAMES)
Score Tip: Leeds by 21-25 points (9-1 CORAL)
First Tryscorer: Weller Hauraki (33-1 SKYBET)