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 IAN MILLWARD COLUMN
Picture Richards - outstanding for Wigan.

WIGAN TO THWART BULLS

By Ian Millward

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BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
2pts Wigan to beat Bradford (11/8 Sky Bet). Warriors in better form than Bulls right now.
2.5pts Hull (-8) to beat Celtic at 4/5 (Stan James) Home side need big win at the weekend.

Hull v Celtic (+12)

Hull are strengthened by the arrival of Jordan Tansey from Australia and his at the Roosters was very encouraging. He will improve Hull while the return of Craig Hall from his loan spell at Widnes will give them even more options in the backs.

The fitness of Danny Tickle is a concern but they should still win and cover against a Celtic side who beat Salford last week. However they are very inconsistent and Hull know they need to post a big victory in front of their own fans.

They can finally do that on Friday night with Tansey bringing some much-needed enterprise to the side.

Leeds v Hull KR (+12)

Leeds worry me at the moment, they are winning matches but only in the dying minutes. It was the same story at Wakefield last week when they looked dead and buried for long spells.

Hull KR come here off the back of a good win over Bradford and I fancy them with the start. They will see this match as a good chance to test their semi-final credentials.

Leeds may well win it but Hull KR can cover.

Salford (+8) v Castleford

Salford were very one-dimensional against Celtic last week, going down the middle for long spells. The Crusaders showed more enterprise and came away with the points.

The loss of Rob Parker is a big blow for the home side but I expect them to hit back here. They beat St Helens in their last home game and will be desperate to get back out on the paddock.

Castleford are without the injured Brent Sherwin and that is a major concern for them, he works very well behind a solid pack.

Salford to cover but this is a close one to call.

St Helens v Wakefield (+20)

St Helens have more injury problems this weekend but do welcome back Keiron Cunningham and Matt Gidley who will provide composure to the side.

Wakefield were very unlucky against Leeds last week and they can take positives from the performance, but the pain of the defeat will still be there.

They know the best way to hit back is to win at Knowsley Road, and while that may not happen, they are the call with a 20 points start.

I liked the way Sam Obst and Brad Drew went last week for the Wildcats and they are a side who can cause Saints problems.

Huddersfield v Warrington (+4)

Warrington will be kicking themselves after getting into what seemed to be a winning position against St Helens last week only to be run down - and quite comfortably at that.

There will have been a lot of soul searching this week and they can go to Huddersfield and win the game - so we have to go for them with the start.

The Giants are going well right now but the Wolves will have learned a lot from last week and will take those lessons into this game.

Bradford v Wigan (+4)

I still think Wigan are in better form than the Bulls. Bradford are inconsistent and while they are back at home, their form at Odsal has been pretty ordinary all year.

Wigan held off a determined Catalans Dragons team last week and they are going well right now. Pat Richards is churning out the points for them and I expect the Warriors to win on Sunday.

Catalans v Harlequins (+10)

The Dragons showed some promising signs at Wigan last week and when they led 22-14 an away victory looked in the offing.

They didn't get home but Wigan are playing OK and Catalans can win and cover here. Harlequins are in a bit of a dip right now and this is never an easy place to go.

Roosters v Warriors (+2)

The Warriors are weakened without Steve Price in their ranks and while the Roosters are at the bottom of the table and very inconsistent. They didn't have anyone on Origin duty.

The home side know if they are to win again this season, this is their best opportunity. Expect them to take it.

  • Preview posted at 1330BST on 16/07/2009

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