Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors predictions and rugby league tips

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

Wigan Warriors -10
2pts Evs Betfred

Match preview

Leeds Rhinos appear to be heading in the right direction under new coach Rohan Smith but injuries are threatening to undo all of the recent progress made with the Australian.

The Rhinos have won four and lost four under Smith but they played well in defeat at champions St Helens and have thumped Warrington 40-4, Hull 62-16 and beaten Castleford 34-20 at the Magic Weekend in that run.

However, they welcome second-placed Wigan to Headingley minus their first-choice half-back pairing of Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin, captain Kruise Leeming and pack stars Zane Tetavano and Matt Prior among others.

Liam Sutcliffe, Zak Hardaker, Harry Newman and Muizz Mustapha are back in contention after missing Saturday's defeat at Toulouse, but given their injury woes it's no surprise to see the visiting Warriors chalked up as strong odds-on favourites.

Wigan bounced back from the disappointment of a Magic Weekend loss to rivals Saints with a 60-0 hiding of Hull, in which Aussie flyer Bevan French dotted down for a Super League record of seven tries in a single match.

The Warriors, spearheaded by their dynamic duo of French and full-back Jai Field, can score points from anywhere and are by far the highest points scorers in this year's competition with 558 posted in 19 matches.

Matt Peet's men are four points adrift of leaders St Helens with eight rounds of the regular season remaining but can halve that deficit by defying a ten-point handicap against the wounded Rhinos.

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