Friday's Super League match betting previews, free tips, TV details

Castleford v Leeds
Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Friday

At the start of the Betfred Super League season, it was unthinkable that eight times Grand Final winners Leeds could be relegated but with nine regular-season rounds remaining the Rhinos are in a real dogfight for survival.

Last week, Leeds pressed the panic button and sent for reinforcements. Robert Lui, Shaun Lunt and Rhyse Martin all arrived at Headingley and although only Lui played against Catalans, Leeds enjoyed a morale boosting 31-12 success against the Dragons which hauled them off the foot of the table.

The Rhinos have managed back-to-back wins only once all year but if they can follow up last weekend’s victory with a win at Castleford they will earn themselves some valuable breathing space from the bottom of the league.

All three of their newcomers are available for the short trip and star centre Konrad Hurrell is expected to be declared fit.

Cas are still on course for a top-five finish despite an inconsistent campaign.

Daryl Powell’s team have lost as many games as they have won and have suffered seven defeats in their last ten outings.

With talented playmaker Jake Trueman sidelined through concussion, this looks a decent opportunity for the new-look Rhinos to rattle the Tigers' cage.

Richard Agar’s side are available at 2-1 to pick up the points but the best bet could be to support the visitors with an eight-and-a-half point handicap.

Even though, they have won only twice on the road this year, they have stayed within the handicap for this game in more than half of their away matches.

Cas have suffered three home losses and have managed just four double-digit victories at the Jungle this season.

Hull KR, one of Leeds’s chief relegation rivals, have had a revival under new coach Tony Smith.

They have won twice in four games with the two losses by a combined margin of three points.

A late Sam Powell drop goal gave Wigan a one-point win at Craven Park and while the Warriors may well complete a quickfire double, the dozen-point start looks like a handy buffer for the Robins at the DW Stadium.

Wigan have won four on the trot but they are without key forwards Sean O’Loughlin and Joe Greenwood.

In terms of quality, the best match of the night is at the KCom Stadium, where runaway league leaders St Helens visit third-placed Hull.

Saints are six-point favourites but this looks like a match to enjoy rather than bet on.

Recommendations
Leeds +8.5
2pts 4-5 Ladbrokes, Coral
Hull KR +12
2pts Evens Betfred

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