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2pts Leeds Rhinos at 3/1 (general) to win Challenge Cup. | Best team in competition and have strength in depth. |
It is easy to see why Leeds and St Helens are dominating the betting to win the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Both have drawn National League opposition this weekend in Celtic Crusaders and London Scholars and will progress to the next round.
The games won't take too much out of them and they can rest one or two of their injured players.
Leeds have been the best team in Super League for some time now and on the big occasions have delivered.
They look a good bet at 3-1 to win the trophy. They have good depth to their squad and are more consistent than St Helens.
Their younger players are at a more advanced stage in their development than their Knowsley Road counterparts although that said, if they don't draw each other along the way, I'd expect Saints to make the final.
The Rhinos are the better team, have won at Knowsley Road already this year which is an advantage if they get drawn there, and they are cherry-ripe right now.
I like the way Leeds are going and they look worthy favourites.
This weekend lots of Super League sides face huge handicaps against lower league opponents but if the weather is fair it is always worth siding with the top flight clubs.
The National League sides start strongly but the Super League teams prove too fast and too strong in the closing stages and end up covering the spread.
If a couple of the big teams draw each other, Harlequins can sneak up the rails and possibly grab a spot in the final. They should certainly begin on the road to Wembley with a win this weekend.
Salford (+12) v Wakefield I honestly don't think there is a lot between these two teams on paper - despite the fact they play in different divisions. Wakefield have been knocked around by injuries all year and are without captain Jason Demetriou for the season. They also haven't seen anything of key close-season signing Brad Drew and at the last count had 12 first-team regulars on the sidelines.
Salford will see this as a great opportunity to underline their Super League credentials in front of the BBC TV cameras. They will really pick the bit up here and can cover the start with home advantage.
Danny Brough, Jamie Rooney and Sam Obst can steer Wakefield to victory - but it won't be a comfortable one.
Bulldogs v Dragons (+4) My team, the Cowboys, faced the Dragons last week and their attack was pretty ordinary. They score more tries from kicks than any other team in the NRL which shows they are struggling in other areas. They have two of the best centres in the world in Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper but they are being starved of quality ball.
The Bulldogs have had a couple of losses but they were right in both games and are very competitive. They have the players to win this one, especially in Sonny Bill Williams who is the best back-row forward in the world. Canterbury to cover is my call.
Raiders (+10) v Storm) The Raiders have a great record at home and it will be a very cold night on Monday. Melbourne may not be on top of the NRL but they are still the team to beat in the competition and their side this week looks very strong. Full-back Billy Slater is the best player in the competition right now and he can help Melbourne to cover the start.
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