Super League acca: Latest Huddersfield Giant surprise, Wigan Warriors domination, Catalans recovery
- Seb Sternik
- 17 April 2024
With the Challenge Cup quarter-finals behind us, the attention turns back to the Super League ahead of a big weekend.
It’s fair to say that Rugby League fans were treated to a brilliant weekend of cup action last time out.
Huddersfield winning away against Catalans. Who saw that coming? Warrington putting 31 points past St Helens. Another stunning result. Wigan beating Castleford by 54 points. Okay, that one wasn’t exactly a surprise.
Cup action to one side, it’s time to turn our focus back onto Super League matters. Here, we look ahead to all six matches, picking a suggested bet for each fixture.
Super League acca
Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants (Fri, 2000 BST)
Yet to make plans for Friday? How about relaxing in your settee and sticking on Leeds against Huddersfield.
There’s a lot to like about this fixture. Leeds, for instance, are woefully inconsistent at the moment having lost three of their last four outings. In their defence, two of those losses came against St Helens and the other against Warrington.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, are on a four-match winning run though they’ve only faced one tough opponent in that time – Catalans Dragons.
The Giants haven’t won away at Leeds since 2018 and they were beaten 54-0 on their last visit.
With Ian Watson’s men in good form, this is the perfect opportunity to have a bit of revenge. Bearing that in mind, we’re going with the visitors to win.
TIP: Huddersfield Giants to win
St Helens vs Hull FC (Fri, 2000 BST)
We don’t want to say this is a forgone conclusion… but this is as close as you can get to a forgone conclusion.
St Helens may have lost consecutive games, but they have more then enough quality to get a win against a woeful Hull FC side.
The Black and Whites have endured a shocking start to the season with one win from seven games to their name. To compound their problems, coach Tony Smith is no longer at the club.
In terms of predictions, we’re backing the hosts to go try-crazy.
Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers (Fri, 2000 BST)
Speaking of forgone conclusions, here’s another good example.
Wigan and Castleford met in the cup last week, with the Warriors going on to win 60-6 away in West Yorkshire.
This weekend, the Tigers travel across the M62 and we’re not expecting a massive change in the outcome.
TIP: Wigan Warriors -38 handicap
London Broncos vs Salford (Sat, 1500 BST)
Saturday’s action kicks off in the capital as London continue to search for their first win of the season.
The Broncos are a little out of their depth in the Super League and Salford will be determined to return to winning ways.
The Red Devils have lost three of their last four games – including a surprise defeat to Castleford a fortnight ago.
While London will give this a good go, the visitors should return home with the two points.
TIP: Salford -26 handicap
Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards (Sat, 1500 BST)
Some Warrington fans weren’t particularly excited by Sam Burgess arriving at the club as the new coach. Those same fans are being very quiet at the moment.
The Wolves have enjoyed a storming start to the season, winning five of their seven games in Super League and also bagging a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Leigh, on the other hand, are suffering from second-season syndrome having won just one of their six Super League games so far.
With Warrington in terrific form, we’re backing the hosts to seal the two points.
Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR (Sat, 1730 BST)
Hull KR travel to the south of France in the match of the weekend.
While the East Yorkshire side sealed a spot in the Challenge Cup semis, Catalans were eliminated after a shock home defeat against Huddersfield.
The Dragons are the current league leaders but Rovers are on a five-match winning run across all competitions and could do a lot of damage.
This is a really close contest, but we’re backing the hosts to feed on the home crowd and seal a narrow win.
