Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: 9/2 and 11/2 picks for Headingley home win

Betfred Super League pacesetters Leeds Rhinos can make it four wins on the bounce on Friday night when they welcome a Catalans Dragons side to whom they lost at AMT Headingley last season (20:00 BST, Sky Sports+).

The Dragons produced a fine performance last week too to stun Warrington in Perpignan so this is one not to be missed in West Yorkshire. Here are my Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons predictions, with the latest team news and Betfred's full match odds.

Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons Odds

The Rhinos are the big favourites to this one at 2/7, with the Dragons 3/1. It's 16/1 for the game to be tied at the end of normal time.

Team News

Leeds showed glimpses of their brilliant best in victory at Huddersfield last week, and head coach Brad Arthur makes one change to the initial 21-man squad.

Youngster Riley Lumb, who has fallen out of favour under Arthur, returns to contention after a hat-trick for the reserves. England centre Harry Newman has seen his loan at Hull FC extended, with Jeremiah Mata'utia also now out on loan at the MKM Stadium.

Australian Jack Bird has made a fine impact in Newman's absence, returning for us in the Anytime Tryscorer market again last week at 6/4 - he should keep his place on the right. Left centre Ash Handley goes into the game just eight short of a colossal 500 Super League points - a couple of tries this week would do it.

Catalans remain under the interim stewardship of former Leeds half-back Ryan Sheridan. He also makes just one change to the squad who shocked Warrington at the Gilbert Brutus. Former Hull KR youngster Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e drops out and is replaced by Josh Allen.

Leeds by 16-20 @ 9/2 

Leeds have been both brilliant and baffling to watch once again this year, but enough went right last week for a thumping win at Huddersfield that saw both our selections land. Leeds to win both halves at 7/5 was ultimately pretty cautious given the stylish manner of their 56-22 win, one which brought 28 points in both halves.

On the flip side of that our Catalans predictions went awry, with the Dragons producing one of their best performances of the season to beat a Warrington side who have been running red hot.

So if both sides bring last week's performances to Headingley on Friday night then I would recommend watching this game. The crowd will be bouncing in the South Stand sunshine and the Dragons won't be travelling to make up the numbers, especially given their terrific 16-8 win in Leeds at the end of last year's regular season that hit Leeds hard heading into the play-offs.

It may sound like I am talking up the Dragons - and why not if half-backs Lewis Dodd and Toby Sexton can combine like they did last week to land a first career hat-trick for Dodd - but I do not expect Leeds to slip up at home.

Any side that can send a starting England centre out to a rival on loan is in a strong position under a very strong coach. I feel the Rhinos are on to a good thing this year and I have them to overcome a stern test here to win again.

The handicap is 14 which, given how Leeds played last week, is probably fair, but does seem to ignore how good Catalans were in beating Warrington.

That said, I do have a Rhinos win by 2-3 scores. Over to the Dragons to prove me wrong...

Ryan Hall To Score A Try Anytime & Charlie Staines to Score A Try Anytime @ 11/2

I'm having a little bit of fun with my second selection and taking advantage of a Betfred Price Boost.

I believe Leeds are the safest bet in the Anytime market but regular readers of this column will know that Dragons full-back Charlie Staines has been coming up trumps for us too.

So with a boost from 7/2 to 11/2, I'm looking at Staines to score in 80 minutes and for veteran winger Ryan Hall to do likewise.

The wiser money is, of course, on safer selections - the robot out wide Maika Sivo is 2/5 to score, while full-back Lachie Miller is worth a look at 10/11 as he starts to find his form.

For the Dragons, Staines is the pick at 6/4, with winger Leo Darrelatour also proving a reliable finisher at 9/4.

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