starts this week
Of note is the new structure to the season, which sees the top four battle it out for a place in the Grand Final, while the bottom four take on the top four from the Championship division, in a contest for Super League status the following season. What do you think of the format changes?
http://www.superleague.co.uk/rlneweraGrand Final WinnerUnsurprisingly, last years Grand Finalists are the top two in the betting. with runners-up Wigan 3/1 favourites to lift the title and champions St.Helens at 7/2. Outside of those two, Warrington are 9/2 and Challenge Cup holders Leeds, who endured a torrid end to last season are 6/1. It’s 12/1 bar those.
who wins?
Regular Season WinnerSt.Helens finished top of the regular season table in 2014 on thirty-eight points, with just four points separating the leaders and fifth place. Wigan and surprise package Huddersfield finished a point adrift, Castleford earned fourth a further point behind, while Warrington on thirty-five, finished fifth.
Just three of the last ten league shield winners have gone on to win the Grand Final, with St.Helens, doing so last year. St.Helens have won five shields in that period of time, with the 4/1 available worth a shout, despite my favouring of other sides for the overall title. Out of the rest, Wigan are 10/3, Warrington are 9/2 and Leeds are 7/1. Its 12/1 bar those.
who wins?
Top Four PlaceAs the top four in the betting are odds on, Leeds at 5/6 are the longest priced of the big four.
who might be value to get into the top 4?
Calatans and Huddersfield (third place last year) are both 13/8 to grab a top four place.
Super 8 PlaceThe betting for a place in the Super 8, looks pretty much nailed on with seven of the twelve sides all odds-on, with seventh in the betting, Salford, still 1/2 despite being so far down the order.
It looks to be a battle between three sides for that final spot, with Castleford at Evens, Hull FC 6/5 and Hull KR at 5/4.
Finish BottomThe new league structure spells danger for the bottom four sides over the course of the regular season, rather than just two, with relegation a real threat to each side. However in the betting for the wooden spoon, Wakefield are 11/8 favourites, with Widnes at 3/1 and 7/1 bar those two.
who might go down?
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