York Knights vs Leigh Leopards Prediction: The Knights are Lam’s to slaughter

York Knights host Leigh Leopards on Friday in a game between two struggling sides, with the home team adjusting to life in the Betfred Super League and the visitors enduring an awful start to 2026 (20:00 BST, Sky Sports+).

Leigh bowed out of the Betfred Challenge Cup last weekend at Warrington and must now focus their efforts on finding an upturn in league form that has brought only two wins so far this season. Read on for my York Knights vs Leigh Leopards predictions.

York Knights vs Leigh Leopards Odds

We talked last week about the return of key men for Leigh, and the importance of managing those comebacks for the likes of star players Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley. With those two back in the side at the Wolves last Saturday it was a suitably energetic start to the game by the Leopards, but as the fitness faltered so did Leigh.

Hanley was taken off with another injury, while Ipape's minutes were managed, and Leigh lost again. This week Hanley is missing again, but Ipape at least came through okay.

Tesi Niu also went off injured though, and he misses out. So I fear Leigh's hopes of returning to full strength will have to be put on hold for a little while longer.

Frankie Halton is back after missing the cup game through concussion protocols.

York also crashed out of the cup and ring the changes this week. Former St Helens winger Jon Bennison is included for the first time this season, as is Ben Littlewood who joins on loan from Leeds.

David Nofoaluma and Sam Cook return to the squad after loans at Newcastle, from where Cody Hunter also comes in for a potential Super League debut,

Handicap 3-way: York Knights +14 @ 10/11

Leigh desperately need their season to ignite, and were hoping that a Challenge Cup win at Warrington last week would be the catalyst. I was at the game and there was real confidence in the Leopards' contingent that it would be their day given the returns of Ipape, Hanley and company. An energetic start was short-lived though, and the Wire emerged 24-10 winners. We had Warrington at -14 on the handicap too at 6/4 - a little bit too accurate!

So this is a fascinating contest as, rather than building, it feels like Leigh keep having to start again. And York are dangerous, especially at home. Both sides have won just two of their opening seven games so neither can really afford to lose this one - certainly not the Leopards, who will hope to be contesting the play-offs in the autumn.

I have Leigh to find a way to win this game, but not with any degree of confidence. My logic is that they are a quality side who will click before too long and the pack has real power with Joe Ofahengaue and Robbie Mulhern flanking Ipape. But this feels a bit of a banana skin against a Knights team who have beaten Hull KR and Hull FC and run others close - including scoring 30 at home against Warrington yet still losing.

So while I am swaying towards the Leopards to find a way, I am with York on a 14-point start at 10/11.

Lachlan Lam Anytime Tryscorer @ 11/4

You would expect points in this one - there usually are when York are involved.

The last three fixtures at the LNER Community Stadium have seen a total of 174 points scored, with 33 tries across the 240 minutes played.

So I'm not expecting a stalemate this week, notwithstanding how much both sides need a win.

I'm looking at Leigh in the Anytime Scorer market this week. Innes Senior and Lachlan Lam were the two scorers in defeat at Warrington last week, while Josh Charnley was unlucky not to register having consistently occupied dangerous positions without getting the ball. Lam I like this week at 11/4, while both Senior and Charnley are 4/6.

Edwin Ipape is due a try but while he works his way back to fitness I am staying away, despite a tempting 6/4, while for York Nofoaluma (6/4) will be the target in the absence of Ben Jones-Bishop.

I feel that if Leigh are to start winning games like this, then Lam needs to take them by the scruff of the neck.

Click the link for all the latest Rugby League Odds

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights