Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves Predictions: Miller and Leeds to come out on top

We are likely to learn a lot about the credibility of Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos’ Betfred Super League title aspirations when the two rivals meet at AMT Headingley on Friday night (kick-off 20:00 GMT)

Both sides sit two points off the early pace, with Warrington coming unstuck in a cracker at home to Catalans Dragons last weekend while the Rhinos rolled over struggling Castleford Tigers to join the Wolves on four wins from the first six games. That means our Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves predictions don't like quite as they might have even a week ago.

Team news

Leeds are without two key forwards but another one is set to return. James Bentley is out with concussion suffered against Castleford last week, while French enforcer Justin Sangare is suspended for one match after the Rhinos decided not to appeal a Grade C Head Contact charge.

Better news came with the successful appeal of captain Cameron Smith’s ban, while prop Tom Holroyd is available again after recovering from an elbow injury.

Centre Harry Newman – our tip for a try last week – was forced off injured at The Jungle to ruin that bet, but he is included again this week despite suffering a badly cut lip.

Jack Sinfield, Alfie Edgell and James Donaldson keep their places in the squad despite not making last weekend’s matchday 17, while teenage back row Ben Littlewood is also included but is unlikely to feature.

Warrington are also forced into a few changes in the pack, with prop Paul Vaughan banned for two matches following a tip tackle against the Dragons and Zane Musgrove and Joe Philbin both concussed.

That means chances for Joe Bullock and Max Wood, the latter having been recalled from a loan at Bradford Bulls. Outside back Connor Wrench missed the Catalans defeat, but returns to the squad.

Handicap 2-way Alternative 2 – Leeds Rhinos -4.5 @ 13/8

Warrington are favourites to win at Headingley despite that setback against the Dragons last week, but I’m not quite so sure. It is definitely a game that could go either way depending on who gets the fast start, but I’m leaning towards Leeds with the Headingley crowd behind them given the absentees in the Wolves’ pack.

Leeds won two of the three games between these two sides last year after an awful opening-game defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and remain a very difficult team to predict. The Rhinos know they have to make their home ground a fortress to compete this year, so this is an important fixture in that regard, especially after back-to-back home losses to St Helens in league and cup over recent weeks.

I’m going for Leeds to pull off a narrow but vital win here, covering a 4.5 point handicap.

Lachie Miller anytime tryscorer @ 2/1

There's the added incentive on the table this week of a Betfred Double Delight offer, which means that if you place a pre-match First Tryscorer bet on this match and that player scores the first try then scores again, Betfred will double the odds.

That's tempting, but I'm going to play the safe way and go with an anytime tryscorer punt.

I’ve been really impressed by the new Rhinos full-back, with Lachie Miller helping himself to two tries at Castleford last time out.

He has become a very dangerous attacking weapon with his quick feet and reliable support play, so you can almost guarantee that any clean break on Friday night will see Miller capitalising. He's 11/1 for the first try, so if you're feeling adventurous there's a potential 22/1 in the offing if he gets the opening score and a subsequent try later in the evening, but I'm going with the more conservative option given how tight this match ought to be.

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