Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons Predictions: Dragons to dominate at Headingley

Leeds Rhinos bid to bounce back from defeat to in-form Hull KR when they welcome another undefeated side to AMT Headingley Stadium on Saturday in Steve McNamara’s Catalans Dragons (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

The French side have opened with back-to-back wins at home to Warrington Wolves and away to London, and last year’s beaten Grand Finalists will be supremely confident of making it three on the spin against Rohan Smith’s inconsistent Rhinos. Here, rugby league expert George Riley brings his Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons predictions...

Team news

The Dragons have named a formidable squad for the trip to West Yorkshire, with the addition of imposing prop Paul Seguier. The Frenchman returns following suspension to boost a side who have conceded only two tries in their opening two games.

Leeds have a trio of stars returning to their squad, with young prop Tom Holroyd available for selection for the first time since undergoing knee surgery last year. Another forward, second-row James McDonnell is also in line for his first Betfred Super League appearance of the season while star full-back Lachie Miller is back after falling ill an hour before the defeat at Rovers last week.

The Rhinos though are without the suspended Sam Lisone for the next three games, with James Donaldson also banned for the next two. England prop Mikolaj Oledzki is again out with his shoulder problem on an injury list that includes both wingers David Fusitua’a and Derrell Olpherts, centre Max Simpson and second-row Morgan Gannon.

Catalans Dragons to win both halves @ 7/2

The last time these sides met, Catalans won 61-0. That should have little bearing on this one given it was a weary Leeds side in the south of France at the end of last season against a Dragons team with momentum going into the play-offs, but it will no doubt be etched in the memories of those young Leeds players who played.

This feels like a big game for the Rhinos and coach Smith, who were plagued by inconsistency last year, and it is one of the worst games they could have wished for having won and lost in their opening two games. Leeds did win this home fixture last season and with the crowd behind them they can be tough to beat again, but I can’t see past the Dragons making it three on the bounce to start the year.

In both games so far this year the Catalans have won both halves, narrowly against Warrington and much more comfortably in London. Leeds, meanwhile, lost both halves against Hull KR last week and were also trailing at half-time before fighting back to beat Salford in round one. It is a brave bet to go against Leeds at home over 80 minutes, but we are feeling brave this week so will back McNamara’s men to dominate from start to finish.

Arthur Mourgue anytime tryscorer @ 5/2

We haven’t had the run of the balls so far in selecting our Catalans any time scorers, but this feels like another good game for the Dragons’ spine, so I am backing Arthur Mourgue again at 5/2. The livewire France international full-back scored in the opening round against Warrington when we didn’t back him, and came up dry last week when we did. He is always in the thick of any attacking action, so let’s go for third time lucky and watch his dancing feet make Leeds pay.

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