Super League 
/ Stuart Jones / 01 September 2011 / Leave a Comment Castleford could struggle against Hull
"Beating Warrington away from home is a big ask in normal circumstances, never mind when you’ve spent the early part of the week celebrating new silverware."
This weekend's live Sky games will have a big impact on how the final play-off places unfold and Sunday's game between Warrington and Wigan could well decide who ends the season as Super League's Regular Season winners, writes Stuart Jones.
On current form Castleford are in serious danger of slipping out of the play-off places for the first time this season, and face a Hull side that will be keen to cement their own place amongst the last eight.
The Tigers have been woefully unlucky with injuries to their forwards and are still without several of their first-choice props, something that won't do them any favours when they come up against what is a monstrous Hull side.
The Castleford defence were at sixes and sevens against a poor Wakefield side in the latest round of Super League fixtures and, although they created far more chances, they still needed a late Dean Widders score to seal victory over there local rivals.
Hull recorded impressive wins over Catalans and Crusaders last month, with their 40-8 victory over a pretty much full strength French side as good a win as they have enjoyed all season.
With Mark O'Meley, Craig Fitzgibbon and Danny Houghton all expected to be fit for the trip to Castleford, the Airlie Birds ought to have way too much power for this depleted Tigers side,and look good value for giving up just a four and a half point start.
Opposing the winners of the Challenge Cup in the following week of Super League fixtures is unlikely have turned a loss in years gone by, especially if the winners were asked to take on the second best side in the league just eight days on from victory at Wembley.
Wigan may have been boosted by Sam Tomkins avoiding suspension, but beating Warrington away from home is a big ask in normal circumstances, never mind when you've spent the early part of the week celebrating new silverware.
The Warriors side were forced to work much harder than many people thought by Leeds last Saturday and Wigan's effort to hold such a sustained onslaught wil surely tell against a Wire side that have a fortnight to focus on beating the current league leaders.
Both Lee Mossop and Josh Charnley picked up injuries in the final and it's doubtful that Michael Maguire will risk that pair with the play-offs just around the corner. Ben Westwood and Adrian Morley are missing for the Wolves, but other than that, Tony Smith has a full strength and well-rested squad to choose from.
I expect Wigan's recent exploits to catch up with them at the Halliwell Jones and have to side with the Wolves giving up 2.5 pts.
Elsewhere, if the current handicap line for Bradford and Crusaders is anything to go by, I must have missed some signings the Bulls have made during a week's break. Bradford can't make the play-offs, still have no recognised hooker, and are missing Elliott Whitehead and Nick Scrutton. Their outright price of [1.16] is mystifying and the Crusaders look a good bet with 18.5 points start.
Recommended Bets
Back Hull -4.5pts at [1.91]
Back Warrington - 2.5pts at [1.91]
Back Crusaders +18.5 pts at [1.91]
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