Thursday's Super League predictions and rugby league tips: Leigh can show fight

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's Betfred Super League matches.

Where to watch

Warrington v Leigh
Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Leigh +20
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Wigan
2pts 10-11 Betfred

Catalans -6
1pt Evs Betfred

Match previews

Rugby league has a habit of being its own worst enemy and the decision to crack on with the Betfred Super League campaign despite England taking on a Combined Nations All Stars side on Friday night means we are left with some lop-sided squads and the chance for some irregular results in Thursday night's triple-header.

In-form Warrington look to be one of the sides most affected when they host bottom-of-the-table Leigh in front of the Sky cameras.

Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Joe Philbin and Stefan Ratchford are all missing for the Wolves as they report for England duty and that may level the playing field slightly for a Centurions side who have lost all 11 games this season.

Their only absentee is Nathan Peats, who will line up for the All Stars side taking on Shaun Wane's Lions.

And they need all the help they can get following a miserable return to life in the top flight.

There have been some bright spots in narrow defeats to Wigan, St Helens and Catalans Dragons but last week's 64-22 thumping at the hands of Hull FC was hugely concerning.

Hull cut the Centurions to pieces and a weakened Warrington side has the ability to do the same on Thursday but Leigh have shown enough fight against the big boys to make a 20-point start look a tad inviting.

It was 44-6 the last time these two met in April but Leigh are averaging 16 points per game at the moment and if they can reach that mark then they could stay competitive with such a hefty start on the handicap.

Wigan have also been left short due to the England fixture but their strength in depth means they should be able to cope without England pair Liam Farrell and John Bateman, and All Star rep Jackson Hastings.

Wakey are without Reece Lyne but there is enough juice in the 10-11 about a Wigan win to back the Warriors.

Catalans should get the better of a Castleford Tigers side shorn of influential skipper Paul McShane (England), Peter Mata'utia and Suaia Matagi (both All Stars) in Thursday's third match-up.

Gareth O'Brien and Jesse Sene-Lefao are injury absentees for the Tigers and league leaders Catalans should be able to make it nine wins from ten this season against a side they have beaten on the last three occasions they have met.

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