Hungry Wolves will maul Saints
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| 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
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| 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)
