Rovers can keep pace with Centurions

Leigh v Hull KR
Sky Arena, 3.15pm Saturday

Less than four months ago, Hull KR travelled to Leigh and knocked the Centurions out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, winning 23-10 fair and square.

But that hasn't stopped the bookmakers installing Tim Sheens's team as 11-4 underdogs when they make the return trip to the Leigh Sports Village in the Betfred Super League Qualifiers.

A year ago, the roles were reversed. Leigh were the Championship club battling for a place in the big league while Rovers were scrapping for their Super League survival.

The Centurions ended up winning promotion as KR slipped into the second tier, a division they have dominated in 2017.

KR lost just three of their 23 league games and kicked off the Qualifiers with an edgy 26-22 home win over Halifax.

Rovers really ought to have won more easily and perhaps the layers have underestimated the visitors' chances by handing them a ten-point handicap start.

Leigh coasted past Featherstone 38-12 in their opening assignment but it may not be wise to get too carried away with that result against a team who have failed to win a game in the Qualifiers in eight attempts over the past two seasons.

The Centurions defeated Salford in their last home outing but have a mixed record on their own midden.

As well as losing to Hull KR in the cup, Neil Jukes's men have been beaten five times in the league with two of those losses coming against bottom-four finishers Widnes and Catalans.

In the tryscorer markets, Rovers winger Ryan Shaw, who bagged a brace in the cup meeting between the teams, is 6-4 to notch again.

Elsewhere, Warrington are 2-7 to continue their recent revival when Catalans visit the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Wolves' run of five wins in six matches includes a 24-16 home victory over the Dragons and the layers believe the winning margin in this clash may be slightly wider with the handicap set at between ten and 12 points.

The French side only just managed to scrape past London in their opening qualifier and Tony Smith's team may well win comfortably but there has been far too much inconsistency from Warrington this year for anyone to be confident about backing the Wolves to win big.

Recommendation
Hull KR+10
3pts 10-11 general