Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos predictions and rugby league tips: Back Leeds

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Super League playoff semi-final on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 8pm Friday

Best bets

Leeds Rhinos +10
1pt Evs bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Wigan Warriors penalty first scoring play
1pt 6-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Leeds Rhinos penalty first scoring play
1pt 13-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Leeds Rhinos stunned Wigan Warriors in last season's Betfred Super League playoffs and they will be hoping to repeat the feat in Friday's semi-final showdown at the DW Stadium.

The Rhinos ran out 8-0 winners in that eliminator playoff just under 12 months ago and they powered their way past Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last week to set up another battle with the Warriors.

Leeds have timed their charge to perfection and victory last Friday means they arrive in Wigan having won eight of their last nine matches.

Bookmakers expect their season to end on Friday, chalking up Rohan Smith's men as 3-1 shots for victory.

Wigan are warm 3-10 favourites and although they were the competition's top scorers in the regular season with 818 points from 27 matches they may not have things all their own way against their in-form opponents.

Leeds hammered Wigan 42-12 in July and have since seen off top-six rivals Catalans (twice), Salford and Huddersfield.

The Headingley men have won three of their last four meetings with the Warriors and they won't take a backwards step with a night at Old Trafford looming large.

Smith's men look the bet in this contest receiving a ten-point start on the handicap.

Whether they can do enough to reach the Grand Final remains to be seen but they can make a good fist of it on a ground where they have often flourished.

A tight contest looks likely so either side to open the scoring courtesy of a penalty goal looks another value bet in this mouthwatering encounter.

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