Super League Round 17

[andy1965]

St Helens v Bradford
Saints as i touched on last eek are looking a very formidable force at the moment,and are playing some awesome fast flowing rugby at present Gardner and Gidley were absolutely dominant last week,and Sculthorpe was showing some of his old touches.Bradford however are in free-fall and injuries arent helping.7 regulars now out including Deacon,Newton,Morrison,Lynch,Tupou,Godwin and Nero.Tadulala makes a comeback and looks like a debut for 2 part time 18 year olds in Kieran Hyde and Keal Carlile.Its not what you wantgoing into a game away at Saints.I think it will be very tough for Bradford and they could end up losing their 4th game in a row.
Catalans v Wigan
Catalans are on a roll at the moment and playing some good rugby,they dont give up as proved last week away at Bradfordand are a tough nut to crack espescially at home.Wigan have shown good form of late and a week off may have been the tonic,unfortunatelythey find themselves struggling in th back row with Hock and Bailey only rated 50-50 for the tripto France.Phelps could make his debut from Canterbury and O Lughlin is still sidelined.For me thats were the game could be lost for Wigan in the back row.I will go for a home win but in a tight contest.
Harlequins v Leeds
I suppose at the moment when i do a brief write up on Leeds games they are all similar,and today is no exception.I cant see Harlequins causing them too much trouble,and after a slow start last week against a patched up Hull side im sure Leeds will want to prove a point from the start.A home loss at the hands of Wires last week wont do the confidence any good going into this and i say Leeds to swoop at the Stoop.Away win.
Wakefield v Huddersfield
I dont no whether the week off last week will have done Huddersfield any favours,whereas the home victory for Wakefield took them briefly in to a top six position.I think Obst was excellent last week and with Rooney playing well that could be the difference.Home games will be important for Wakefield and they will look at this as a mustwin .So i ill go along with a Wakefield victory.
Hull v Castleford
The clash of the bottom two clubs,firstly i think it will be a close contest Hull enjoyed a great start at Leeds last week but were outclassed in the second 40.Castleford suffered another away defeat at Belle Vue and even though Hull are still struggling with injurys i think the passionate home fans will get behind them and prove to be an extra man.Hull really need a boost and a home game with fellow strugglers Cas should be it ,go for a home win.
Warrington v Hull KR
I predicted Wires getting back to winning ways last week and i am going to say they will consolodate on that and take another 2 points at home.I think Briers will control the game and make a big impression,Hull KRs playmaker Cooke is struggling for form in my opinion and they rely lot on him so a comfortable home win is my prediction.

Again good luck to all on your bets
2 weeks 4 from 5 lets hope for a full house
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M.C.F.C. BORN AND BRED

[jaydubs]

I think what you have said there pretty much sums it up for me but the handicap betting is a little trickier .

-6 for Wakefield
-12 Hull
-10 Warrington
-18 St Helens
-14 Leeds
-2 Catalans

I think it has to be Catalans, Wakefield and St Helens for me the other 3 look like they could go either way

[andy1965]

Hi Jaydubs
Agree mate handicap betting is a lot harder to predict,and looking at this weeks games,i would say
-6 Wakefield v Huddersfield
Hull v Castleford+12
-10 Warrington v HullKR
-18StHelens v Bradford Harlequins v Leeds-14
-2 Catalans v Wigan

I would go with all the ones highlighted,for the reasons stated in my first post,and good luck with your bets jaydubs
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M.C.F.C. BORN AND BRED

[jaydubs]

Hi Andy,

I would agree with your h'cap selections but I don't like betting either for or against Hull at the moment neither Warrington. I am going to let the dust settle around their new coaches for a while before I put some money back on them.
Anyone know if the forecast is ok for the weekend ? Are there going to be hard fast grounds this weekend if so I expect to see a lot of tries/points and some good running rugby.

[andy1965]

jaydubs forecast isnt brilliant up north expecting a bit of rain,i hear what you say about the new coaches and i feel somtimes its a shot in the arm for some clubs,Warrington were in a rut and hopefully last week has been the kick up the rear they needed,i can see them kicking on from here.Hull on the other hand have mainly suffered through injurys and are going to find it a long hard season in my opinion.
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M.C.F.C. BORN AND BRED

[betking]

St Helens -18 is a borderline one for me. Im so tempted to take it, as with the Bulls injuries, I can see St Helens running up a cricket score here, but at the same time, I have this voice in my head saying "avoid it". Maybe U'll just flip a coin
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Michelle Larcher de Brito - World Number One 2012

Hurry back Kim Clijsters, the womens game needs you!

[mathewjamie17]

As a Bulls fan theres no chance in hell im passing up the 14/1 and +22 handicap on Bradford tonight,i think our chances of winning are very small and the handicap is a more realistic bet but who knows.
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2nd Overall Copa America Challenge 2007

[mathewjamie17]

I change my mind,Sam Burgess is now ruled out so i heard so really Bradford do not stand a chance,feel free to delete my last post because St Helens -18 it is
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2nd Overall Copa America Challenge 2007

[mathewjamie17]

Could not agree more with whats been said already for todays games,Warrington and Castleford look tasty on the handicap but im just not sure Wakefield can cover
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2nd Overall Copa America Challenge 2007

[andy1965]

Well Saints and Catalans came good,but totaly shocked at the Leeds result,not taking anything away from Harliquins they thoroughly deserved it.That will teach me to bull Leeds up!!!!
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M.C.F.C. BORN AND BRED