Leigh Leopards vs Huddersfield Giants Prediction: Hosts to maintain perfect start

Fresh from their epic golden-point win at the home of the champions, Leigh Leopards host Huddersfield on Sunday afternoon (14:30, live on BBC Two) bidding to make it a perfect two from two.

Our rugby league expert George Riley shares his Leigh Leopards vs Huddersfield Giants predictions, featuring the latest odds and team news.

Leigh Leopards vs Huddersfield Giants Odds

The Leopards are heavy favourites at 2/9 to claim both points, with the Giants at 18/5 to spring an upset. The draw is available at 18/1.

Team News

Leigh's win at Wigan was marred by an injury to one of their key men, with former England winger Josh Charnley forced off with a hamstring issue.

Try-machine Charnley felt the problem during pre-season and did not reappear after half-time at Wigan. He is now expected to be out for the next month.

Leigh will still be without Darnell McIntosh - who would probably replace Charnley - for Sunday's game, as he recovers from an injury picked up in pre-season.

Boss Adrian Lam says McIntosh is "out for a few weeks" and also confirmed forward Ben Nakubuwai is some way off recovering from knee, hamstring and pectoral issues.

The Giants have left half-back Danny Richardson out of their squad, while Harry Rushton is also sidelined by HIA protocols after his head injury in that Warrington defeat.

The two men brought into the squad by head coach Luke Robinson are Aidan McGowan and Thomas Deakin.

Leigh Leopards 1-12 points @ 2/1

The Wigan v Leigh game may have made history as the first ever Super League game to finish 0-0 in 80 minutes, but blimey what a sensational game of rugby league.

The intensity, physicality, energy and effort of both teams was astounding for an opening-round fixture, and that they were able to stand firm and win it in golden point will do wonders for this Leigh team's early-season confidence.

The Leopards looked strong, well structured and defensively resolute - who on earth keeps Wigan scoreless?

Back home the Leopards' Den will be bouncing and I expected an early Huddersfield storm to be weathered for a Leigh win but even with the dominance on paper, you don't get many big margins of victory over these first few rounds when the pitches are soft and the weather cold. I can't see Huddersfield getting anything on this trip across the Pennines.

Leigh won both meetings between the two sides last season, 20-16 and 16-10 so they tend to be pretty close and I'm going for something similar here. I'll ignore the handicap and go with the home side by 1-12 points.

David Armstrong - Anytime Tryscorer @ 4/5

One of the highlights of Leigh's win at Wigan was the performance of new full-back David Armstong. He was electric at both ends of the pitch, and in the absence of Charnley Leigh will be looking elsewhere for points.

A 23-year-old recruit from Newcastle Knights in the NRL, the early signs are that Super League could have another star.

Umyla Hanley was a popular selection in this column throughout last season and is another good pick to come up with the goods. But I'm gunning for a home debut try for Armstrong in a tough Leigh win.

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