Catalans Dragons vs London Broncos Predictions: Dragons to win big in play-off hunt

Catalans Dragons know they must win their last two games to have any hope of rescuing their season after defeat at Salford Red Devils last week, and they will expect to win the first of them with London Broncos heading to the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday (kick-off 20:00 BST, 21:00 local, live on Sky Sports+)

London have two matches to leapfrog Hull FC at the foot of the Betfred Super League as they bid to convince the game's rule-makers that they are worth a spot in the top flight. But my Catalans Dragons vs London Broncos predictions don't count on them doing that this week.

Catalans Dragons vs London Broncos Odds

The Dragons are a pretty much unbackable 1/12 to win this one, so the handicap markets will probably be where you'll find most value. If you do fancy an incredible upset for a second time between these two sides in 2024, London are 7/1 to back up 12-10 win at Plough Lane in Round 20 with victory in Perpignan.

The draw is 22/1, implying a 4.3% chance of the Broncos taking the Dragons as far as they have twice taken Leeds Rhinos this term.

Team News

Catalans boss Steve McNamara had his talisman back last week, but even the return of Sam Tomkins from a hamstring injury was not enough to get the Dragons back on track.

The French side make two changes this week, with prop Chris Satae back and half-back Jordan Abdull also returning.

The two to make way are Franck Maria and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet.

Rugby League Odds

London head coach Mike Eccles has named an unchanged squad following last week's near-miss away to the Huddersfield Giants.

The Broncos are still without several first-choice players in Dean Parata, Bill Leyland, Alex Walker, Matt Davies, Jordan Williams and Jack Hughes.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 2: Catalans -24 @ 13/8

Catalans were well beaten in every area of the pitch at Salford last week, conceding four tries in a 27-12 defeat. We went for a two-score Salford win so weren't a million miles off, but I feel this is the week we finally see something like the Catalans Dragons side that made it all the way to last year's Grand Final.

Lying in eighth spot and two points off the pace, it may now be a lost cause for the Dragons to even make the top six, but I expect them to win both of their final two games at Hull FC and first this one at home to the basement Broncos.

London have been running teams really close recently, losing by six points last week at Huddersfield, by a golden point at home to Leeds the week before and even winning well against Hull FC at Magic Weekend.

So this side is capable, and dogged, but can I see them winning in France? I just can't. The Stade Gilbert Brutus is an intimidating place if you are not used to it - and London aren't, having not been there for five years.

That said, they travelled well in 2019 when they last sampled this fixture, winning twice in Perpignan. I don't feel you can read anything at all into that, and expect a decent Dragons win if they get a flying start. I've been pretty bold on a Dragons -24 win.

Arthur Romano anytime tryscorer @ 6/4

Arthur Mourgue was my go-to tryscorer bet for the Dragons when they were firing at the start of the season, and I saw glimpses of his class again in their defeat at Salford last weekend.

The versatile France international scored a try and kicked two goals and was a constant threat in a losing cause and I like the look of him again this week at 6/4.

But with Tomkins back in the mix having come off the bench at Salford, Mourgue may switch positions again, so I am looking at another 6/4 Arthur as my try scorer selection. Centre Romano is a strong finisher, and has been a regular Dragons scorer in the last couple of months, crossing three times in five games.

Another tip would be a less familiar scorer in Bayley Sironen at 7/2, since he has also scored three in five. But I'd suggest one of the Arthurs is your best bet this week.

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