Challenge Cup Betting: Cas quality can win Wakey derby

“After a stuttering start to the term, Wigan have really begun to fire of late.”

Stuart Jones believes that the Tigers can hit the road to recovery against their neighbours while Bradford could be in for a torrid time against Wigan on Challenge Cup weekend.

The first of two live games on the BBC this weekend is the local derby between Wakefield and Castleford from Belle Vue on Saturday, and it looks an ideal opportunity for Terry Matterson’s side to get back to winning ways.

After a strong start to the campaign, the Tigers’ form has faltered of late, most recently slumping to a 62-0 defeat at the hands of Warrington last Friday. However, facing the Wildcats presents a totally different test to the one they faced at the Halliwell Jones last week and they should prove too strong for their local rivals.

Wakefield have done admirably well this term, but they are still well short of any real quality in the backs and their offensive options are very limited. With little between the two packs on paper, I think Castleford’s superior half-back pairing of Danny Orr and Rangi Chase will prove the difference.

The Tigers will be looking to avenge their shock defeat to the Wildcats earlier in the season and I can’t see a start of just the two points being enough for John Kear’s men on Saturday.

Bradford getting an 18 point start at home isn’t something I can remember seeing during the Super League era, but with the West Yorkshire side in freefall, even that may not be enough of a start against a Wigan side that have had no problem racking up the points in recent weeks.

After making hard work of beating Halifax in the last round, the Bulls shipped another 46 points against a pretty average Hull KR side at Craven Park and, with their defense at sixes and sevens, they simply can’t be trusted.

Mick Potter added Ben Jefferies to his squad prior to the KR game, but a defensively suspect half-back is just about the last thing the Bulls need at present, and I can’t see him making any difference to Bradford’s season in the short term.

On the other hand, after a stuttering start to the term, Wigan have really begun to fire of late. They have conceded just four tries in as many games, and with Sam Tomkins back in imperious form, their attack looks as convincing as it did this time last year.

Michael Maguire’s side will be too big, too strong and certainly too clever for a Bradford side lacking quality and confidence. An 18 point start may look big on paper, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bulls on the end of yet another hammering, and siding with Wigan on the handicap is an easy call.

Recommended Bets Back Castleford -2.5 pts @ [1.91] Back Wigan -18.5 pts @ [1.91]

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July 3, 2011 • Posted in: Betting Posts

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