This week sees high-flying Castleford Tigers take on reigning champions Wigan Warriors in what should be one of the match-ups of the season.
The Tigers are among the front-runners to lift this season’s title while Wigan have won two of the last four Grand Finals.
Below if a preview of every game with exclusive insight from title sponsor’s BetFred
06 April 2017 20:00 Wigan v Castleford
Wigan come into Thursday’s mouth-watering clash winless in three outings, but you can never count Shaun Wane’s men out. They lost 26-18 to Leeds last time out with playmaker George Williams in blistering form for the visitors with two tries. Castleford lead the Super League table with six wins from seven and their trip to the DW Stadium should indicate how far they have progressed this season. Liam Farrell and centre Anthony Gelling will have late fitness tests for Wigan while Joe Bretherton is in for Oliver Gildart, who is expected to miss three months after being on the end of a crusher tackle from Leeds’ Brett Ferres. Castleford welcome back free-scoring winger Greg Minikin although he and veteran winger Joel Monaghan will be given late fitness tests.
Match odds: Wigan EVS Draw 22/1 Castleford 5/6
TGT says: Castfleford by 4
Betfred says: This is one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the season. Castleford have been so good but with Wigan at home it is a mouthwatering contact and the betting is quite even, we have been seeing money for both teams. Wigan by 4
07 April 2017 20:00 Warrington v Leeds
Warrington are still searching for their first win of the season despite a superb comeback against Hull FC last time out. Tony Smith’s men showed great spirit against the Black and Whites, but they remain winless seven games into the new campaign. Smith takes on his former club Leeds on Friday as the Rhinos comes to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Warrington have winger Tom Lineham available following suspension although veteran Kevin Brown misses out due to concussion. Leeds are without England international Brett Ferres after he was handed a six-game ban for a crusher tackle on Wigan centre Gildart. Keith Galloway, Stevie Ward and Brad Singleton remain unavailable so head coach Brian McDermott has called Josh Walters, Jordan Baldwinson and Mikolaj Oledski into his 19-man squad.
Match odds: Warrington 8/11 Draw 22/1 Leeds 6/5
TGT says: Leeds by 8
Betfred says: As ever we have been seeing plenty of money for Warrington, the local fan base are confident that they can finally get that win and they have maybe turned the corner. Draw.
20:00 Wakefield v Widnes
Wakefield have been one of the success stories this season having secured their fourth win of the campaign last Saturday with an emphatic success at Catalans. Widnes come into Friday’s clash on the back of their first victory of the season, a 37-24 defeat of Leigh. Wakefield head coach Chris Chester has named an unchanged squad for the clash. Widnes could have influential playmaker Joe Mellor available for the trip to Wakefield. Stefan Marsh (concussion), Greg Burke (concussion) and MacGraff Leuluai (back) are hoping to shrug off knocks picked up against Leigh.
Match odds: Wakefield 1/3 Draw 22/1 Widnes 5/2
TGT says: Wakefield by 10
Betfred says: This could be a tight one but Wakefield are playing well. We have seen money for both teams but the home side is where most of the money is coming. Wakefield by 6
20:00 St Helens v Huddersfield
St Helens will be looking to return to winning ways against Huddersfield having been toppled by Salford last time out. The Giants are licking their wounds after being put to the sword against free-scoring Castleford on Friday. Kieron Cunningham’s men will need the two point to keep within touching distance of the top four while the Giants will be eager to avoid qualifying for the middle eights for a second straight season. Huddersfield are winless in five since beating Wakefield on February 24. St Helens will be without hooker James Roby due to a knee injury, although they were boosted this week by the news winger Adam Swift has signed a new two-year deal. The Giants welcome back playmaker Danny Brough from the suspension which forced him to miss their defeat at the Tigers.
Match odds: St Helens 1/5 Draw 33/1 Huddersfield 7/2
TGT says: St Helens by 8
Betfred says: Shortest price of the weekend for any of the games and St Helens are seeing all the money really – we have not seen too much interest in Huddersfield. Everyone is expecting Saints to recover from the big defeat to Salford and come out fighting. St Helens by 10
20:00 Leigh v Catalans
Leigh must pick themselves up and dust themselves down after being stunned by Widnes last week while Catalans Dragons are not in great form themselves having lost four straight. Leigh sit eighth in the standings but a win for the French club would see them leapfrog the Centurions. Leigh boss has rung the changes in the wake of their defeat to the Vikings, Curtis Naughton, Glenn Stewart, Gregg McNally all return to his match-day squad. Brayden Wiliame and Thibaud Margalet have been added to Catalans’ squad by head coach Laurent Frayssinous and they also hope to have full-back Tony Gigot available pending an appeal against his ban for his behaviour towards a doping official.
Match odds: Leigh 4/6 Draw 22/1 Catalans 5/4
TGT says: Leigh by 10
Betfred says: Leigh are playing better than many expected and Catalans are unpredictable, but this is a close one to call and the odds suggest that – but we are seeing more money for Leigh. Leigh by 2
20:00 Hull v Salford
Leigh must pick themselves up and dust themselves down after being stunned by Widnes last week while Catalans Dragons are not in great form themselves having lost four straight. Leigh sit eighth in the standings but a win for the French club would see them leapfrog the Centurions. Leigh boss has rung the changes in the wake of their defeat to the Vikings, Curtis Naughton, Glenn Stewart, Gregg McNally all return to his match-day squad. Brayden Wiliame and Thibaud Margalet have been added to Catalans’ squad by head coach Laurent Frayssinous and they also hope to have full-back Tony Gigot available pending an appeal against his ban for his behaviour towards a doping official.
Match odds: Hull 2/5 Draw 25/1 Salford 2/1
TGT says: Hull by 8
Betfred says: This is one of the best games of the weekend, everyone keeps on waiting for Salford’s bubble to burst but it isn’t as the are in fourth. We have offered a very good price on Salford and we are seeing plenty of interest in them that is for sure. Hull by 10