Castleford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: 6/4 for Leigh to continue play-off push

Castleford Tigers' fine recent run of form suffered a setback with defeat at Salford Red Devils last weekend but Craig Lingard has a good thing going at The Jungle now and Thursday's clash with the Leigh Leopards feels like a really good contest (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Arena).

While Warrington Wolves were walloping Wigan Warriors last Friday, Leigh were doing the same to the once mighty St Helens with a stunning 46-4 win. Leigh will be favourites for another win in West Yorkshire but they may not have it all their own way, as I will explore further in my Castleford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards predictions.

Castleford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards Odds

The Tigers' upturn in results hasn't budged the bookies too much, with Betfred offering a home win at 11/4. The Leopards, on the other hand, are 2/7 to win the battle of the safari cats, with a draw in 80 minutes coming in at 20/1.

Team News

Castleford were without forwards Samy Kibula and Liam Watts in Saturday’s defeat at Salford, but Watts is back in the squad this week after injury.

Daniel Hindmarsh Takyi is also named in the squad, while Lingard promotes two of his academy prospects to the first-team squad for the first time. Jenson Windley and Akim Matvejev are the pair given a chance.

George Griffin and Liam Horne were injured at Salford and make way, with the latter also ruled out of the next two games through suspension. Sam Hall is also unavailable.

Rugby League Odds

Leigh again name a strong squad having had Josh Charnley, Darnell McIntosh, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam all named in the Betfred Super League Team of the Week last week. That is a sign of how well the Leopards are playing right now.

Have they left a play-off push too late though? Possibly – there is a five-point gap to the top six so the next 10 days will be crucial as Leigh play three times, including the rearranged match with Wigan early next week.

Handicap 3-way alternative 1: Leigh Leopards -14 @ 6/4

I think Leigh are running too hot for Castleford right now, and as impressive as the Tigers have been in recent weeks their squad looks a little stretched for Thursday night.

The loss of three key men from the bruiser at Salford has seen a couple of academy players drafted in, and although the return of experienced prop Watts is a huge boost, I feel the Leopards now have the bit between their teeth as they mount a late play- off push.

That said, having to play champions Wigan away on Tuesday is going to be very much on their minds, and there is even a chance that boss Adrian Lam may have to consider that in his selection.

I think Cas will have a real go at this one but Leigh will prevail by two to three scores. I’m going to be a little bold here and look at the top end of that prediction, where a 14-point handicap is available at 6/4 at an implied probability of 40%.

Jason Qareqare anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

I was at the Salford win over Castleford on Saturday and felt that the Tigers were a very well set-up side, just lacking enough quality players. That was exposed by Salford ultimately, though the Red Devils did have to come from behind.

Both of our bets came in as Chris Hankinson went over for a 6/4 try off the bench and Salford hit the 6-10 point winning margin to return our tip at 9/2.

I was most impressed though by Castleford’s winger Jason Qareqare, who helped himself to two tries in a losing cause. He looked sharp and is a fine finisher, so I am going to trust in him again here at 5/4.

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