Giants big value in Super League play-offs

The Rugby League season steps up another gear as we reach the end of season play-offs with eight teams holding dreams of winning the Grand Final. Bookmakers make Warrington the 9/4 (GENERAL) favourites for the title. The Wolves were the runners-up in 2012 and are tipped to go one better. The Wire have a number of players who are in the last chance saloon in terms of winning the big one with Adrian Morley, Brett Hodgson and Garreth Carvell all set to exit the club this summer. Warrington has seven wins in the their ten games against the top five this season and have won eight of their last nine games played.

The masters of this event are Leeds who have won six of the last seven Grand Finals and made the final in seven of the last nine. The Rhinos actually had a better season than in recent years finishing third with seven wins from their last nine games and are 10/3 (SPREADEX).

Huddersfield are the 7/2 (GENERAL) third favourites and also the team who won the Super League. The Giants do not have the play-off calibre of the other sides though I do not think this matters too much. They have won eight of their last nine with this one defeat coming in the last game of the season when they rested a lot of key players. In addition seven of these wins came by double figures. Wigan are the 4/1 (GENERAL) fourth favourites and the Challenge Cup holders will look to end a run of form that has seen them win just two of their last nine games and none of their last four. The Warriors will need star player Sam Tomkins to be at his very best. It would be a surprise if the other four were to make the final though all of them have the capability to spring a shock or two. St Helens have won six of their last seven and like Leeds it is difficult to them off come the big games. The Saints are a 14/1 (ladbrokes/SPREADEX) while Hull have won four of their last five are 50/1 (BWIN). The Catalan Dragons are 100/1 (boylesports/SPREADEX/BWIN) and the outsiders are Hull KR who are 200/1 (boylesports/SPREADEX) chances.

To me the value has to be Huddersfield as they are in great form and topped the table. True the side who topped the table does not always go on to win this trophy but that does not mean that they should be as big as 7/2 (GENERAL) third favourites. They are the number one seed, have a favourable route to the final and have shown themselves to be the best side this season.

HUDDERSFIELD V WIGAN: The Giants are the 7/10 (888 SPORT/BWIN/unibet) favourites to see off the Warriors who are 13/8 (SPREADEX). I like the look of Huddersfield to cover the spread when these teams meet on Thursday evening (20:00). Prices vary on points from two to four so I will leave it up to you whether you want to take the biggest price or the lowest handicap margin. As mentioned in the outright piece the Giants have won seven of their last eight and won both games against Wigan this season by double figures.

HULL V CATALANS: These two teams split the regular season games 1-1 and this could be a close one again. The Humberside team are the 4/6 (sportingbet) favourites while the Dragons are 6/4 (GENERAL). The prices seem about right so this is a no bet game. WARRINGTON V LEEDS:. I think Leeds looks value with a four point start at evens (GENERAL) as there is little to choose between the pair.

ST HELENS V HULL KR: The Saints should have too much for Hull KR and are just 2/7 (sportingbet) for victory with the handicap set between 12 and 14.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Huddersfield Giants to win the Grand Final, 7/2 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Huddersfield to cover Handicap v Wigan, best available price
BRONZE: Leeds to cover handicap +4 vs Warrington, evens (GENERAL)

Go To bet365

#Ad

12/09/2013     © Frixo 2024