St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos Prediction: Saints to get up for the cup

Week 4 of the Betfred Challenge Cup sees St Helens entertain Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday night (20:00, live on The Sportsman Rugby League on YouTube).

Betfred ambassador Paul Sculthorpe shares his St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos prediction as his beloved Saints bid to book their ticket to the quarter-finals of the competition.

St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos Odds

Saints are heavy favourites at 1/4 to win on Friday night and secure their place in the quarter-finals. It's 16/5 about the Rhinos springing an upset - while the draw is a 20/1 shot.

St Helens -10 @ 20/21

I've been saying that Saints were yet to be tested this season. Well, they were on Friday… and the outcome wasn’t pretty.

We all know how much Hull KR have improved over the last couple of years. However, I genuinely thought this was a game that Saints could win, based on what I’d seen in the opening three weeks of what is shaping up to be a great Betfred Super League season.

Unfortunately, it was clear from an early stage that we were very much the second best team in this contest.

The Rovers were dominant in every aspect of the game - but I will say Saints' four props gave absolutely everything.

Alex Walmsley took it to the visitors all game, as did George Delaney and Noah Stephens when he came off the bench. Iggy Paasi was Saints' best player as far as I'm concerned. He looked fit, sharp and caused the opposing defence problems all day. He continuously looked for the ball to get his teammates on the front foot.

Sadly, some of his teammates let him down. Some of the basic errors and lack of execution, attacking threat and a kicking game doesn’t win you points against the best teams in this division.

I’ve spoken very highly of Tristan Sailor in the opening weeks, mainly about his running threat and ability to create opportunities for the players around him, but this week he went missing.

My biggest concern during the off-season was the lack of a genuine half-back. Someone who can direct play, boss the team around the park and control the kicking game.

In the opening three weeks we haven’t really needed to do that, but on Friday against a quality side who bring another level of intensity we were found out.

Sailor, Lomax and Welsby failed to control field position and build pressure. A lack of guidance and a ‘hit and hope’ kicking game took its toll.

Skill levels at a club like St Helens is a non-negotiable, and as Paul Wellens said after the game, players need to start taking responsibility for their own performances.

On a more positive note, there were some good spells on defence, as the players showed their resilience and desire to hold Rovers out. Bar a couple of poor decisions and missed tackles, that half of the performance was decent.

This week, our attention turns to the Betfred Challenge Cup - specifically Saints' clash with Leeds.

The visitors come into the game off the back of an 11-0 defeat to Catalans Dragons and they will be desperate to stay in the cup.

It’s been an awful few years for the Rhinos and they're continuing to show that inconsistency that has resulted in no trophies for the past five years since winning this historic cup in 2020.

However, that’s the magic of this competition. It’s all about the 80 minutes in front of you. Saints know Leeds will be up for this and with players like former Salford duo Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers, and strike duo Ash Handley and Harry Newman, they are a capable side.

Super League and Challenge Cup title sponsors Betfred make the hosts 4/1 second favourites to be outright winners.

Holders Wigan are favourites to do it again at 9/4. Warrington, who were demolished by Wakefield at home this weekend, are 5/1. The impressive Hull KR are priced at a generous 11/2 to win their first major trophy in over 40 years.

I’m hoping to see big improvements in the Saints offence on Friday. I'm going for a home win by 11 points or more.

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