Super League acca: World champions Wigan, scintillating St Helens, hat-trick hunting Hull KR
Wigan Warriors
Fresh from claiming the biggest international club honour in Rugby League, Wigan Warriors return to Super League action in the latest round of games.
The Cherrie and Whites pulled off an incredible win against the indomitable Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge, and Matt Peat’s side will certainly want to taste more successes this year.
Huddersfield Giants will be determined to bring Wigan’s feet back to the ground, though their recent results don’t exactly offer much reason for optimism.
Below we take a look at all six fixtures in the third round of Super League, with a betting selection included for each match.
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St Helens vs Leigh Leopards (Fri, 20:00 GMT)
St Helens put on a clinic against Huddersfield Giants last weekend, whitewashing the Yorkshire outfit away at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Leigh, on the other hand, got a week off with their scheduled opponents Wigan away on World Club Challenge duties.
The Leopards did face Huddersfield in their first match of the season but ended up on the wrong side of a 16-8 defeat.
Bearing all that in mind, you can’t look past St Helens. The hosts to win with a -7.5 handicap is the way to go.
Warrington Wolves vs Castleford Tigers (Fri, 20:00 GMT)
Castleford Tigers kicked off the new season with back-to-back defeats, though their effort in both matches was unquestionable.
The Tigers will need to couple their attitude with a bit more quality if they are to avoid a hat-trick of losses.
Warrington got on the board with a 36-10 win over Hull FC last weekend and they will fancy their chances against Cas on home turf. A narrow win for the hosts is the way to go.
TIP: Warrington Wolves to win by 1-12 point margin
Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants (Fri, 20:00 GMT)
The newly crowned world champions return to Super League action against the Huddersfield Giants.
Wigan were superb in their victory over Penrith – a result which reverberated across the global Rugby League community.
Lets face it, if Penrith couldn’t get the job done, what hope do Huddersfield have? Not much is the answer, as the Giants enter this match on the back of a St Helens whitewash. Our reccommendation is Wigan to dominate both halves of this one.
TIP: Wigan/Wigan Half time/Full time
Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Catalans Dragons will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season when they travel to Headingley on Saturday afternoon.
The French outfit brushed aside both Warrington and London in their opening two fixtures.
Leeds, meanwhile, enjoyed a narrow win over Salford before falling to a defeat at Hull KR.
This has the makings of a close encounter, though we’re backing the in-form French side to continue their winning run.
Salford vs Hull KR (Sat, 17:30 GMT)
Another team looking to complete a hat-trick is Hull KR. Rovers looked good in their first two games and a third win is on the cards.
Salford may have lost big players over the off-season, but they’re certainly making up for it with effort.
Nevertheless, we expect KR’s quality to shine through in a comfortable win, backing Rovers in the handicap market is the way to go.
Hull FC vs London Broncos (Sun, 15:00 GMT)
Somebody’s zero in the win column will have to go when Hull FC and London clash on Sunday.
The Broncos were dealt a tough start to the season against St Helens and Catalans. This weekend, London will fancy their chances against an out-of-form Hull FC side.
Speaking of Hull, Tony Smith’s side need a big result to officially get their season up and running.
After back-to-back defeats, we’re backing the hosts to unleash their frustrations on the team from the capital and pick up their first points of the season.
