Time is running out for St Helens to secure a top-six spot and they face an uphill challenge when they take on Leigh Leopards at Leigh Sports Village in Super League on Friday night.
We are now at the business end of the season and there is a lot riding on the results of this weekend's games.
St Helens need to win to ensure they do not miss out on the playoffs for the first time in Super League and a defeat to Leigh and a win for Hull Kingston Rovers against Huddersfield Giants will mean the Merseyside club will fail to make the top six.
Leigh will secure their spot with a victory and their recent home form and Saints' mounting injuries mean this is their game to lose.
Leigh Leopards v St Helens Tips Summary
Best Bet - Leigh Leopards -14.5 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Umyla Hanley to score anytime @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Leigh Leopards to win both halves, Innes Senior to score a try, Josh Charnley to score a try, Lead at 20:00 - Leigh Leopards @ 22/5
Leigh Leopards v St Helens Prediction
Best Bet: Leigh Leopards -14.5 @ 10/11
Leigh's three-match winning run was brought to an abrupt end last week by Huddersfield Giants, but that 30-18 defeat could be just what they need to get themselves fixed up for the playoffs.
Sometimes a surprise defeat can give teams a reality check and help them improve on their mistakes and Friday's fixture against Saints looks like it could fall into that bracket.
Firstly, Leigh will get the chance to play at home and, considering Huddersfield's improvements, there is no shame in losing to the Giants on the road.
Leigh have won 10 of their 13 home games this season and they have also won their last four home matches against St Helens.
In addition, St Helens are without some key players and the absence of prop Alex Walmsley is huge. Walmsley's power through the middle would have kept his side in the game, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita's suspension means his aggression in the forwards will also be missed.
Nene Macdonald and Jake Davies are also ruled out after suffering injuries in the 34-6 defeat to Leeds Rhinos and all signs point to a routine home win.
Alternative Bet: Umyla Hanley to score anytime @ 11/10
Leigh centre Umyla Hanley was a doubt ahead of kick-off due to a back injury, but coach Adrian Lam confirmed he returned to training in midweek.
Hanley has not been as prolific as some of his team-mates this season, but in recent weeks, he has been deadly in the opposition half.
He has three tries to his name in as many matches and he looks good value to crash over for another try.
Leigh Leopards v St Helens Bet Builder Tip
Leigh Leopards to win both halves
Innes Senior to score a try
Josh Charnley to score a try
Lead at 20:00 - Leigh Leopards
Pays 22/5
St Helens needed Walmsley and Suluka-Fifita to compete through the middle and it is going to be tough from the first minute for their forwards to lay down a platform.
With their home fans cheering them on and the fact that they can help St Helens miss out on the playoffs, expect Leigh to dominate this game from the outset.
They should take an early lead and it is hard to see St Helens competing through the middle without their power forwards.
Eventually, gaps should appear in the Saints' line and that should bring Innes Senior and Josh Charnley into the picture.
Charnley may have only scored two in his last outings, but he has 24 to his name and will still feel that, with a strong end to the season, he could win the top tryscorer award.
Senior has been in majestic form, though, scoring four in five, and both will benefit from more space out wide due to the Saints' out-of-sorts pack.
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Key Match Stats
Leigh Leopards have won three of their last four games in Super League.
The Leopards have won 10 of their 13 home games in all competitions this season.
Leigh have won their last four home matches with St Helens, with Saints' last success at Leigh coming in April 2021.
St Helens have won two of their last three games, but they have lost six of their previous 10 in Super League.
Saints have lost five of their last seven away matches in Super League.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
