Rugby League - Super League Round 25 & NL 1+2

[kevshat]

Super League:

Friday 15 August 2008	Home	Away
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers (20:00BST)	-18	+18	Details »
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Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Wildcats (20:00BST)	-14	+14	Details »
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Saturday 16 August 2008	Home	Away
Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons (19:30BST)	-4	+4	Details »
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Sunday 17 August 2008	Home	Away
Bradford Bulls v Hull FC (15:00BST)	-14	+14	Details »
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Harlequins RL v St Helens (15:00BST)	+12	-12	Details »
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Warrington Wolves v Hull KR (15:00BST)	-18	+18	Details »

NL1:

Thursday 14 August 2008	Home	Away
Sheffield Eagles v Widnes Vikings (19:30BST)	+6	-6	Details »
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Sunday 17 August 2008	Home	Away
Dewsbury Rams v Featherstone Rovers (15:00BST)	+6	-6	Details »
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Halifax RLFC v Celtic Crusaders (15:00BST)	0	0	Details »
Hide « Halifax RLFC v Celtic Crusaders
Leigh Centurions v Whitehaven RLFC (15:00BST)	-6	+6	Details »
Hide « Leigh Centurions v Whitehaven RLFC
Salford City Reds v Batley Bulldogs (15:00BST)	-30	+30	Details »

NL2:

Friday 15 August 2008	Home	Away
Barrow Raiders v Keighley (20:00BST)	-6	+6	Details »
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Doncaster v York City (20:00BST)	-6	+6	Details »

Sunday 17 August 2008	Home	Away
Blackpool v Hunslet Hawks (14:00BST)	-10	+10	Details »
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Rochdale v London Skolars (14:00BST)	-22	+22	Details »
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Swinton Lions v Oldham (14:00BST)	+16	-16	Details »
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Workington v Gateshead (14:00BST)	+8	-8	Details »

Should be another good week of rugby with the race for the playoffs in SL really hotting up.

[Karel]

One or two really interest me there, starting with Wigan tomorrow. I have had one rule all year and that is not to back Wigan as when they are bad they are bad and the bookies still over price them each week. But I have to go against Wakefield tomorrow. I went to their game against Castleford last week and they were awful, confidence is rock bottom. I have to back Wigan espcially after putting up another good result in France last week and finally they maybe hitting a little form at the right time, but its more Wakefields collapse than anything.

I also really like Warrington at home to Hull K.R as again Hull K.R have gone, ever since the trouble with Paul Cooke they seem to have gone downhill fast and are throwing in some awful performances and for the first time last week I was impressed with Warringtons defence and would expect them to cover the handicap. I am also going to keep a close eye on team news for Bradfords game against Hull. They really do have one eye on the Final now and they picked up 3 possible injurys last week against Huddersfield and will not want to risk anymore, they could play a weakened side, if not I don't think they will put too much into the game, if Bradford have 1 or 2 bodies back I will have to back them.

The lower league games I will have a proper look at later and post nearer the time. Sheffield have two 17 year olds in their squad tonight due to concerns over injurys, but they are good at home and add this to giving up start I will wait nearer to the game before deciding if to do anything or not.

Selections for super league

Wigan -14 10/11 5pts

Warrington - 18 10/11 4pts

Bradford -14 10/11 Depending on team news nearer kick off.

[leespam]

Having a poor time of it on the Rugby League at the minute but have one in mind for the weekend.

Huddersfield are in excellent form with 3 wins out of their last 4 against the likes of Hull, Castleford and Wigan. They now face a tougher challenge against an impressive Catalans outfit but their form themselves in the last 4 has been worrying. Catalans have drawn at home and lost away to inconsistent sides Wigan and Hull KR respectively, suffered defeat to a Leeds outfit spluttering over the finish line and scraped past a Harlequins outfit they were expected to steam-roller over all in their last 4 games. All in all, they look worth taking on again, especially with Huddersfield having a minute chance of the play-offs only being 3 points behind 6th place Bradford.

3pts Huddersfield (-4) to beat Catalans @ 10/11

GL all...

[Karel]

Not a bad bet Lee, it is free entry tomorrow for everyone so guarantees a big crowd. I nearly went for them myself, since Jon Sharpe went we are playing far better. I just hoped it maybe a scratch game.

[henry]

Id be a bit reluctant to back the Giants. Theyve already lost twice this season to the Catalans including a 48-0 whooping. I know the Giants are in form but those sort of stats dont fill me with confidence.

[kevshat]

Can't believe this Catalans price .

10pts Catalans to beat Huddersfield 13/8 Stan James

Never before has the chant "what's it like to see a crowd" been so apt. Huddersfield are offering free entry to this game ahead of "the biggest announcement in the clubs history" at half time. Now I've no idea what this announcement is but if it's that big there's a chance it could impact on what the Giants' players do in this match. And that's not helpful when you are playing 3rd in the table who have already beaten you twice this season. Huddersfield have picked up their form in recent weeks. So much so that there's outside talk of a playoff place but that's highly unlikely.

Hooker David Faiumu makes his home debut here for the Giants who are likely to be unchanged for this match. Catalans are boosted by the return of key forward Alex Chan and last seasons try machine Justin Murphy. They will strengthen the French side no end. Catalans aren't 3rd in this table for no reason though and I think their forwards if they are on form could destroy this Giants pack. Catalans have dropped off a bit in recent weeks but they need to pick it up again soon with the playoffs only 4 weeks away and I'll take them to win this at a very big 13/8.

[leespam]

Originally Posted by kevshat

Huddersfield are offering free entry to this game ahead of "the biggest announcement in the clubs history" at half time. Now I've no idea what this announcement is but if it's that big there's a chance it could impact on what the Giants' players do in this match.

That's a worry I didn't consider . Rumours abound it could be something like a merger and the 2nd half could be a nightmare if the fans aren't happy. B*llocks, why can't it be as easy as betting on the football - form, H2H etc?

[Karel]

That's a worry I didn't consider . Rumours abound it could be something like a merger and the 2nd half could be a nightmare if the fans aren't happy. B*llocks, why can't it be as easy as betting on the football - form, H2H etc?

Trust me its not a merger, no chance at all. Ken Davy is one of the richest men around, there is no need to merge and that would not be done in front of a big crowd. The very strong favourite and what certain people in the know have told me, is that they are redevolping our old ground at Fartown and going back there, time will tell, but it will be good news. I really like Huddersfields chances of winning the game and would back them off scratch but I wont be giving start so will leave the game alone.

[steve1966]

There's a big scrap on for 4th spot in the NL1 and thus a home draw in the 1st round of the play offs. Whoever wins between Leigh and Whitehaven will probably take it.

Despite being a Whitehaven fan I'm so tempted to back Leigh in this 1. Haven have been 1 of the form sides in NL1 and there record against the better sides is excellent. 1 of the reason's for there success of late have been down to their pack. They have a big set of forwards who've demolished the opposition. There lies the problem. Marc Jackson is suspended. Ryan McDonald is out through a minor injury. David Ford is out for the season with a knee injury. Thats 3 of their 4 main props out. Add to that Tane Manihera ( Stand Off and goalkicker) is also out with Flu and he's also been pivotal in Whitehaven's success.

I haven't been given official team news but I have heard through one of the players 1 or 2 younsters being drafted in as well as a few acadamy players. Also with Manihera out the team doesn't have a natural goalkicker so who'll kick the 2 pointers is anyones guess.

Add to that it could be Leigh's last home game at Hilton park after 61 years before they move to their new home. It will certainly be their last league home game there but if they win tomorrow and beat Batley away in their last game they will get 1 more home game in the playoffs. Now don't it will be an emotional day and that could also be a major factor with a big crowd expected.

Most bookies give Whitehaven about 6 start. Skybet go 4 in Haven's favour. Whilst I don't want to bet against my local side even I might be tempted with them handicaps. With the injuries to key players I reckon Leigh could win this by 20+. I probably wait till nearer the time when the side is officially announced but its beginning to look to tempting even for me.

[Punto83]

Good write up Steve, looks definately an interesting game. I'm going to Dewsbury vs Featherstone. Bit of a dead rubber game today so no bet for me in this one.

[steve1966]

Bloody typical. Skybet have just cut Leigh's odds from 5/6 to 4/6. They must trawl through this site with a fine toothcombe

[Karel]

Bloody typical. Skybet have just cut Leigh's odds from 5/6 to 4/6. They must trawl through this site with a fine toothcombe

Steve I had a large single first thing and got 10/11 -4. This selection was mentioned on Betfair forum also, so I presume it will be a few bets that does it, espcially as they don't take much in the lower leagues. I personally always put my bet on before I post about my bets in the lower leagues.

[steve1966]

Originally Posted by Karel

Steve I had a large single first thing and got 10/11 -4. This selection was mentioned on Betfair forum also, so I presume it will be a few bets that does it, espcially as they don't take much in the lower leagues. I personally always put my bet on before I post about my bets in the lower leagues.

I agree Karel. Instead I went a fairly large single with Stanjames. £110 at 10/11 with Haven getting 6 start. I'm listening to the game on the radio and Leigh are winning 18-4 at the start of the 2nd half. It seems strange as I want Whitehaven to do well but not too well if you know what I mean.

ps as I write this Koe love has made it 22-4 kick to come

[Karel]

I agree Karel. Instead I went a fairly large single with Stanjames. £110 at 10/11 with Haven getting 6 start. I'm listening to the game on the radio and Leigh are winning 18-4 at the start of the 2nd half. It seems strange as I want Whitehaven to do well but not too well if you know what I mean.

ps as I write this Koe love has made it 22-4 kick to come

Won easy even after having a man sent off, well done mate and thanks for the tip. I saw it on betfair and thought maybe and the saw your post so I did a bit of research and if there is one person you listen to in the lower leagues its someone backing against their own side

[steve1966]

Originally Posted by Karel

Won easy even after having a man sent off, well done mate and thanks for the tip. I saw it on betfair and thought maybe and the saw your post so I did a bit of research and if there is one person you listen to in the lower leagues its someone backing against their own side

Yep. I hate backing against my own side. It puts you in a funny position. You want the other side to win but also you want your team to play well.

If leigh had won by less than 6 I would have been gutted.

We also got 2 sent off in a fight at the end so it will be interesting to see what the handicaps are when we play Widnes at home next week. If the 2 are banned then we are going to be very weak in the pack and maybe another bet against my side.............................................. ..I should be hanged for treason