Wakefield Trinity were edged out by a late Leeds Rhinos try in last week's top-of-the-table Super League clash at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, but they are fancied to bounce back against St Helens.
Wakey led 22-6 at one stage in that 24-22 loss and have been in fantastic form for much of the second half of the campaign to lift themselves into play-off contention.
A top-six spot looks all but assured with five games to go but they will be keen to finish the job as soon as possible and it is hard to see them slipping up against St Helens.
Saints are in miserable shape, and head coach Paul Rowley paid the price with the sack just last month.
Eamon O'Carroll has failed to steady the ship as interim boss but he is being undermined by a huge number of injuries and confidence is low in the St Helens ranks.
St Helens are in danger of missing out on the play-offs for the first time since Super League started in 1996 and their position is unlikely to improve on Saturday.
Wakefield Trinity v St Helens Tips Summary
Best Bet - Wakefield -14.5 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Caius Faatili to score a try @ 8/5
Bet Builder - Wakefield to win, Caius Faatili to score a try, Isaiah Vagana to score a try @ 17/2
Wakefield Trinity v St Helens Prediction
Best Bet: Wakefield -14.5 @ 10/11
Wakefield Trinity have been the surprise package in Super League this season but they start round 23 in third spot and fully deserve to be there following a scintillating spell which has seen them win 16 of their 22 matches this year.
They have shown last season's sixth-placed finish was no fluke and their attacking style of play has gathered plenty of admirers.
Only recently you would have put your house on St Helens beating Wakefield but times have changed and Trinity look the best bet to end a six-match losing streak against the Red Vee.
The handicap has been set at 12.5 points and Daryl Powell's side should have little trouble covering that mark.
Hull FC did so when beating St Helens 32-18 last Thursday and it was the third time in their last five outings that Saints were beaten by more than 12 points.
Wakefield can add their name to that list as the injury-hit Lancashire side have conceded 168 points across their last five fixtures.
Four of those five games have ended in defeat, and St Helens have conceded 32 or more points in each of those matches.
Wakey have won seven of their last eight matches and can get back to winning with a comfortable success on Saturday evening.
Alternative Bet: Caius Faatili to score a try @ 8/5
Caius Faatili scored eight tries last season and has already matched that total this term with five games still to go in the regular season.
The bulldozing prop will almost certainly beat his record haul and he may not have to wait long to do so. Backing him to get over the line on Saturday looks a great bet at 8/5.
Faatili's front-row partner Isaiah Vagana opened the scoring against Leeds last week and Wakey have shown they can score from anywhere on the pitch.
St Helens missed 47 tackles in the loss to Hull FC last week, a symptom of low confidence, and Trinity can also take advantage by posting plenty of points, and Faatili is fancied to get in on the act.
Wakefield Trinity v St Helens Bet Builder Tip
- Wakefield to win
- Caius Faatili to score a try
- Isaiah Vagana to score a try
Pays 17/2
Wakefield can get back to winning ways against St Helens on Saturday and a three-leg Bet Builder can be boosted by adding two of their big-hitters into the mix.
Caius Faatili is hunting his ninth try of a successful campaign, while fellow forward Isaiah Vagana opened the scoring against Leeds last week with his fourth try of the season.
The pair will attack St Helens with vigour and could get their rewards to help land a 17/2 payout.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- St Helens have won their last six meetings with Wakefield
- Wakefield have won seven of their last eight league matches
- Saints have lost four of their last five matches, conceding 32 or more points in each
- St Helens have conceded 168 points across their last five matches
- Wakefield have scored 609 points in Super League this season, with only Leeds, Wigan and Hull KR having scored more
- Wakefield's points differential of 233 is bettered only by Leeds (442), Hull KR (293) and Wigan (254), while Saints are way back with 8
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
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.
