Wigan should make the most of their extra rest

Leigh v Castleford
Sky Sports 3, 4pm Monday
Catalans v Hull
Sky Sports 1, 7pm Monday

It will be survival of the fittest in the Betfred Super League on Monday as most of the teams play their second match in less than 48 hours.

The only side who’ve had an extra day’s rest are Wigan, who host Wakefield, and the Warriors should be backed to overcome a ten-point handicap.

The Cherry & Whites had a similar advantage at Easter when they travelled to Wakey and got home 16-10.

They can win with more to spare at the DW Stadium this afternoon in a match they can ill afford to lose.

A winless run of four Super League matches means the champions have dropped out of the top four and below today’s opponents. Defeat today will seriously jeopardise their playoff hopes and that will not have escaped coach Shaun Wane’s attention.

By contrast, seven-time Grand Final-winners Leeds are enjoying a decent run and can make light work of Widnes at the Select Security Stadium.

The Rhinos have won ten of their last 13 games and were in tremendous form on Friday when they whipped Warrington 40-0.

On the same night, the Vikings threatened a shock win at table- topping Castleford but couldn’t hang on and will do well to back up that mentally and physically draining effort.

Leeds can cover the ten-point handicap.

Cas are tasked with giving up a 14-point buffer at Leigh who come into the match having recorded their first win in ten attempts.

That victory at Hull will give the Centurions hope of springing a 9-2 upset against a Tigers team whose away form is nowhere near as good as their record at The Jungle.

The league leaders’ last two road trips have produced victories by 11 and five points and backing another Tigers triumph by a dozen points or fewer looks the way to go.

Anyone who saw Hull annihilate Catalans 62-0 a fortnight ago in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup will be astonished to see the Black & Whites quoted at 6-4 to defeat the Dragons in France this evening.

Much has changed since the previous meeting. Catalans have sacked coach Laurent Frayssinous and lost to Huddersfield and Salford while Hull have suffered abject defeats to St Helens and Leigh and lost playmaker Marc Sneyd to injury.

No scoreline would come as a surprise but Lee Radford’s visitors have to be the pick at the prices.

Second-placed Salford’s trip to Warrington is a real poser for punters and it’s probably best to sit that match out.

Recommendations
Wigan -10
3pts 10-11 Hills, Sky Bet
Leeds -10
3pts 10-11 general
Castleford to win by one to 12 points
2pts 9-4 bet365, Betway
Hull
1pt 6-4 bet365