Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity Prediction: Back hosts’ unsung hero

It will be an emotional afternoon at AMT Headingley on Saturday (16:30, BBC Two) when Leeds Rhinos host Wakefield in their annual MND awareness game to mark the upcoming first anniversary of the death of club legend Rob Burrow.

Leeds head into the game in fine form, as do Trinity, who produced a 13-try demolition of Salford Red Devils last weekend. Read on for our rugby league guru George Riley's Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity predictions, complete with the latest match odds and essential team news.

Team News

Leeds boss Brad Arthur makes just one change to the squad that comfortably beat Castleford last weekend, and it is not a change that is likely to affect the starting 17.

Out of favour half-back Matt Frawley is left out entirely, with his place in the squad going to young loose forward Presley Cassell.

Hooker Andy Ackers is back in training but still not ready to return, while winger Maika Sivo is out for the season.

James Bentley should return this week, having been named in the 21 but not used at Castleford.

Rugby League Odds

There is just one change to the Wakefield squad too after their huge win over Salford, with boss Daryl Powell able to select hooker Thomas Doyle after injury in place of prop forward Ellis Lingard who enjoyed a two-try debut in that 72-10 Salford win.

Centre Oliver Pratt was rested last weekend - he was our anytime try scorer selection against Salford, with all other selections landing in a fantastic week for followers of this column - so he should feature at Headingley. Liam Hood and Josh Griffin could also return too having not been used against the Red Devils.

Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity Odds

Leeds Rhinos are 4/11, or a 73.3% chance, to claim victory on Saturday, with Wakefield Trinity available at 23/10 and the draw at 18/1.

Leeds Rhinos 1-12 points @ 15/8

This should be a really good game and one I expect to justify its inclusion on terrestrial TV this Saturday afternoon.

Wakefield have produced some fantastic results already on their return to the Betfred Super League. The huge Salford win was eye-catching, but more impressive have been the wins over Warrington and Leeds on their visit to the Rhinos in round one of this year's competition.

Trinity produced a shock 14-12 victory that day, and I expect this one to be pretty close too, but I fancy the blue and amber to be on the winning side this time.

There will be emotion inside the stadium to raise awareness for MND as we approach the anniversary of the death of one of Leeds' favourite sons, Rob Burrow. And usually when there is emotion, the Rhinos players feed off it and produce a big performance.

There have been three wins apiece in the last six meetings between these two sides, but I feel increasingly confident in this Leeds team since Arthur settled on the half-back pairing of Jake Connor and Brodie Croft alongside the return of livewire former 7s player Lachie Miller at full-back.

I have Leeds to win this one, and have them to do so by between 1-12 points.

James McDonnell anytime tryscorer @ 7/4

You won't go far wrong by backing Leeds to score through any of their outside backs. Wingers Riley Lumb (4/6) and Ryan Hall (4/5) score more often than not, and centres Harry Newman (5/4) and Ash Handley (10/11) are a constant danger.

I've gone this week, though, for one of the Rhinos' unsung heroes in the pack. James McDonnell looks to have a big future ahead of him and has already shown he knows his way to the line.

McDonnell scored Leeds' first try in their last home game - a win over Hull FC - and helped himself to an incredible four tries in one game in the win at Salford last month.

At 7/4, I am happy to take a punt on McDonnell, who should play big minutes, crossing the whitewash against Wakefield.

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