Rugby Leagues - Superleague 1st Feb

It was Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr who wrote ’the more things change, the more they stay the same’. The talented journalist and novelist was clearly a fan of Rugby League because as the season approaches it looks like the same teams will be in the mix to make the Grand Final.

Firstly you have to be clear two different markets exist for those wishing to bet on this season, the Regular Season winner market and the Grand Final winner market. Winning the first is nice, winning the second is essential. I will therefore just briefly touch on the regular season with the bulk of the prediction being about the Grand Final.

Warrington are the 15/8 (BWin/Coral) favourites for the regular season with St Helens and Wigan 10/3 (Saints with BetVictor, Wigan with Stan James). I think for the regular season you can look between these three teams and then add Leeds (8/1-Totesport/betfred/BWin) to the mix for the grand final. Warrington are deserved favourites as they carry the right balance of youth and experience and this is the same team that went so close last time around. The Wolves must have noted the way Leeds handled affairs last season and did not worry about league placing rather just getting into the playoffs. With players like Hodgson, Briers and Morley not getting any younger it might pay to pick some rest periods for them during the season and be strong when it matters. The Wolves are deserved favourites at 5/2 (general) to win the Grand Final.

Wigan at 4/1 (Stan James) do not carry the same threat as last season as a number of key bodies have left the club and I am not sure the replacements are of the same standard. A lot of pressure will be put on the young players to develop making them one to avoid.

The side who are the best value are St Helens at 4/1 (sportingbet) after maintaining their best players and adding to the team most notably with Willie Manu. This is a Saints side with the players reaching their prime and this could be their year.

Leeds Rhinos are the defending champions and are 11/2 (general) and you can not ignore their championship know-how. This is actually a better side than the one that won the Grand Final last year, how scary is that? The inclusion of Joel Moon will allow Carl Ablett to return to the back row and Mitch Achurch looks a perfect fit for the Rhinos. With the distractions of the World Club Challenge and Leeds known attitude to the regular season it might sense to watch the price because if the Rhinos go bigger than 11/2 you should add them to your portfolio. Last season they traded as high as 10/1 and while you may not get that big a price it makes sense to wait to see if you can get bigger than 11/2.

Of the other sides Hull look the most likely to break the big four. Why not try investing in them in the betting without the big four at 11/8 (william hill). Catalans and Huddersfield are thought to be the key challengers in this market though both seem to be weaker than last season. The other bet to be had is a speculative gamble on Widnes at 8/1 (general) to finish in the top eight. The Vikings have made two ambitious signings in Gareth Hock and Kevin Brown and no side likes to visit the Stobart Stadium Halton. Don’t go crazy but at small stake this battling side will give you a real fight for your money.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Hull betting without the Big Four, 11/8 (william hill)
SILVER: St Helens to win the Grand Final, 4/1 (sportingbet)
BRONZE: Widnes to finish in the top eight, 8/1 (general)

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01/02/2013     © Frixo 2026