Super League Betting Preview: Bans mean Wigan will struggle against Hudds

“I have made no secret of the high regard I hold the Huddersfield pack in, but I strongly fancy their backs to prove the difference on Friday.”

Stuart Jones believes the Giants backs can make the difference when the champions go to the Galpharm on Friday night. Meanwhile, can the Rhinos ignite their campaign against Saints?

Michael Maguire has enjoyed a relatively easy time of things since taking the helm at Wigan before the start of last season, but the Australian coach faces a selection headache ahead of a tough visit to the Galpharm Stadium on Friday.

A feisty encounter between Wigan and Hull FC last Sunday saw a number of brawls erupt between the two sides and, after several players were placed on report, the RFL handed out bans that rule both Sam and Joel Tomkins out of this week’s fixture.

Their suspensions could have hardly come at a worse time for Wigan. Pat Richards and Brett Finch are still on the sidelines, whilst speculation about the whereabouts of Martin Gleeson continues after the centre missed the last two games without explanation.

The cherry and whites are certainly not lacking in quality back-row forwards, so whilst the loss of Joel is a blow, it’s the absence of his younger brother that is a real concern. Sam’s creativity in the backline is sure to be sorely missed, with his ability to ghost into the attacking line from full back a major factor in Wigan’s recent success.

Having had to grind out a couple of victories since their blip at Castleford in round two, Huddersfield look to have finally clicked in attack, running in nine tries as they saw off local rivals Bradford at the Galpharm. I have made no secret of the high regard I hold the Huddersfield pack in, but I strongly fancy their backs to prove the difference between the two sides on Friday and am happy to side with the Giants giving up a couple of points.

I’m not sure where to start with Saturday’s game between Leeds and St Helens. Both sides come into the game on the back of some indifferent form and haven’t been at all easy to predict in the early rounds.

St Helens have a strong pack. Leeds don’t. St Helens are badly lacking in creativity. Leeds are not. So where does that leave us? In terms of the outright market, I’m not at all sure, but I do think it’s a match up that could lead to plenty of points.

Saints should enjoy plenty of success taking the ball up the middle of the park. The pairing of Puletua and Graham in the St Helens front row is far superior to that of their Leeds counterparts, even allowing for the return of Ben Cross this week. Leeds will be heavily reliant on the creativity of Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, and with such flair players as Weller Houraki and Ali Lautiti asked to get through some big minutes, they are as likely to leave gaps as they are to create them.

The Rhinos are yet to be involved in a game that has seen less than 50 pts and I can’t see that changing this week.

Recommended bets:
Back Huddersfield [-2.5] pts @ 1.91 against Wigan
Back over 46.5 pts @ [1.83] in the Leeds vs St Helens match

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March 19, 2011 • Posted in: Betting Posts

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