Saturday's Betfred Super League predictions and rugby league tips: Take Leeds

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Leeds Rhinos to win by one to 12 points
1pt 9-4 Betfair

Match preview

After 26 rounds of regular-season action in the Betfred Super League it all boils down to 80 minutes for Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers.

One of either Huddersfield or Catalans await the winners in the end-of-season playoffs, while the losers' dreams of Grand Final glory will have to wait for another season.

The fact that Leeds are even in the top-six mix after a terrible start is testament to the the Rhinos' revival since Rohan Smith took the reins at the start of May.

Leeds have won ten of their 15 games under Smith - having won just three of their first 11 this term - and slumped to only their second defeat in two months at Catalans on Monday.

The Rhinos were without star half-backs Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer in Perpignan but both are back for Saturday's crunch contest.

Castleford looked assured of a playoff berth only a few weeks ago but injuries have taken their toll on the Tigers, who have won only two of their last six matches.

That means Cas are on the outside looking in ahead of the final round of fixtures and while they have beaten Leeds twice this season, that was before Smith arrived to steady the ship and last week's 50-10 hammering at the hands of top-six rivals Salford hardly inspires confidence ahead of such a pivotal clash.

The Tigers have to be admired for hanging tough for so long given their lengthy injury list, but the quality they have sitting in the stands could cost them when it matters most against the confident Rhinos, who are fancied to do just enough at Headingley.

Team news is key for Saturday's remaining three matches with Salford opting to rest the majority of their first team against Warrington ahead of next week's playoffs, while St Helens welcome back eight key players for the visit of relegated Toulouse.

Hull KR have named only 16 players in their squad for their short hop across Humberside to take on neighbours Hull FC, so from a punting perspective it looks wise to focus on the winner-takes-all contest at Headingley.

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