Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity Prediction: Rhinos’ combinations to fire in round one

A West Yorkshire derby at AMT Headingley on Saturday marks Wakefield Trinity's return to the Betfred Super League and offers the perfect chance for Leeds Rhinos to start the season on the right foot (kick-off 15:00 GMT, Sky Sports+).

Brad Arthur's men have a big point to prove this season after slumping to an eighth-placed finish last year and, buoyed by an expectant home crowd, I'm expecting a positive start to 2025 against the promoted side. Below are my Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity predictions, as well as full team news and Betfred's match odds.

Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity Odds

After Thursday night's incredible events at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, we really have to consider every option in round one as attacks take time to come together. Leeds are 2/7 favourites, which implies a 77.8% probability and reflects the Rhinos' record of 46 wins from 60 Super League clashes against Trinity.

The visitors can be picked up at 11/4, which is decent value for anyone expecting the 2024 Betfred Championship winners to give the Rhinos a fright on opening weekend. The draw is 20/1, and that comes into sharp focus after Leigh Leopards' extra-time heroics on Thursday.

The standard two-way handicap has been parked at 10.5 points, with Leeds 10/11 to win against the head-start and Wakefield 5/6 (54.5%) to keep the scoreline within that margin.

Team News

Leeds are boosted by the return of versatile hooker Jarrod O'Connor, who sat out last weekend's 92-0 mauling of amateur side Wests Warriors in the Betfred Challenge Cup. O'Connor injured his knee in the Boxing Day clash between these two sides, but returns to the squad in place of Jack Sinfield, who limped off last weekend.

Just days after arriving from Australia, there is a place in the squad for new signing Ethan Clark-Wood, although I am not expecting the centre to play yet. Clark-Wood was brought in after the season-ending injury suffered by big-name signing Maiko Sivo.

Back-row forward James Bentley is back in the mix along with props Mikolaj Oledzki and Tom-Nicholson-Watton, who were rested last week.

Wakefield boss Powell makes one change to his side after their 82-0 thumping of Goole Vikings. Isaiah Vagana is fit again and comes into the squad in place of Oliver Pratt.

Trinity have recruited well in the off-season, not least by re-signing England winger Tom Johnstone from Catalans, but lost club captain Matty Ashurst and centre Iain Thornley to Oldham.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 2: Leeds Rhinos -16  @ 17/10

These two sides met on Boxing Day in their traditional festive friendly, and Trinity almost won it, losing out 18-16.

That won't have any bearing on this fixture though, and I am expecting Leeds to come out firing after a massively under-achieving 2024.

Both sides had one-sided Betfred Challenge Cup wins last week and came through relatively unscathed, except for the injury picked up by Kevin Sinfield's son Jack, who impressed for the Rhinos before his foot problem.

I was at AMT Headingley last Saturday and, yes, the Rhinos may have been playing an amateur side, but given the dross they served up last season I was pleasantly surprised. The pack looked big and the combinations between Brodie Croft, Jake Connor and Matt Frawey looked slick.

Trinity haven't won at Leeds in almost six years and I am not expecting that wait to end here against a Leeds side starved of success since their 2020 Challenge Cup win.

With Samoa international Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins joining Sam Lisone and Oledzki up front, I feel Leeds should compete better this year, and the addition of the enigmatic Connor adds some much-needed X-factor.

Add to that the return of club legend Ryan Hall on the wing, with Ash Handley on the other, and this team looks like it will have points in it.

I'm going with a Leeds win by a few scores.

Jake Connor anytime tryscorer @ 7/4

Connor's signing from Huddersfield was an eyebrow-raiser but he has capitalised on the injury void left by Lachie Miller and could well make that full-back spot his own.

At his best he is an England international, at his worst an infuriating Achilles heel. But a Jake Connor at a new club with a point to prove is something that should bring out his very best, and I'm backing him to become a real favourite with the South Stand from the first game.

At 7/4 to score a try in the game I'm looking at Connor to be the difference.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.