Leigh Leopards vs Castleford Tigers Prediction: Comfortable win for the hosts

Leigh will look to ramp up their push for a top-four place on Thursday night when they welcome a Castleford Tigers side counting down the days until the end of the season. (20:00 BST, Sky Sports Action)

The Leopards' win over Salford kept them a point behind St Helens and Leeds in the jostle for home advantage in the playoffs, while Castleford's predictable loss in France means they are now second only to the Red Devils at the bottom.

Team News

Due to the state that Salford find themselves in, Leigh boss Adrian Lam last week was able to rest the likes of Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley but both are back this week along with Gareth O'Brien.

Joe Ofahengaue is again absent with a hamstring injury while another prop Owen Trout is also still missing. Aaron Pene could make his first start since March.

To say this Castleford squad is in a state of transition would be an understatement, as Director of Rugby Chris Chester again oversees the team and is keen to give several academy stars a chance for the remainder of the campaign. So look out for young winger Alfie Lindsey who scored his first Cas try in France last week.

Tex Hoy is back, so too is Joe Stimson, with Andy Djeukessi and Jenson Windley dropping out.

Sam Wood, Zac Cini and Jason Qareqare are all still absent.

Leigh Leopards vs Castleford Tigers Odds

The hosts are the overwhelming favourites to win this match at 1/66, while Castleford Tigers are 14/1 to come away with the victory. The draw is priced at 25/1.

Handicap 2-way Leigh -28/5 @ 10/11

Castleford's August has been absolutely awful. Head coach Ryan Carr will take over the team for 2026 but he will already know that he has an enormous job on just to make this team competitive.

The Tigers lost 38-4 at Catalans on Saturday, having suffered a 64-6 home defeat by Leeds, a 36-6 loss at Hull KR and a 40-0 defeat at St Helens this month. Four defeats at an aggregate August scoreline of 178-16.

So this defence is shot to pieces, and that is reflected in the big handicap in this one. I would like to think that Castleford cannot continue to be this bad, but the reality is that until the new man comes in and the squad overhaul happens they probably will be.

This will be an easy home win.

Anytime tryscorer Edwin Ipape @ 6/4

You have to look hard to find some value in the try scorer market this week given the run of hefty defeats with which the visitors arrive in Leigh off the back of.

Make no mistake, Leigh should win this pretty comfortably if they are harbouring ambitions as genuine Super League playoff or even Grand Final contenders.

My usual pick would be Umyla Hanley who is a fantastic player to watch out wide. Hanley looks a great bet to score this week but is just 8/11 to do so.

The value therefore could again be with hooker Edwin Ipape. A game-breaking player, who is sensational to watch and has a real eye for the try close to the line. 6/4 on an Ipape try seems to be the call this week, with the Papua New Guinea star having also crossed for a try in the away win against the Tigers in April.

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