Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos Prediction: Kallum can cross in 6/1 derby win for Rhinos

The traditional Good Friday Betfred Super League derbies kick off with champions Hull KR hosting Hull FC at Craven Park fresh from a morale-boosting thumping of St Helens last week (12:30 BST, Sky Sports Action).

The Robins ran in nine tries against Saints and will welcome their rivals who almost let slip a 22-0 half-time lead in a thrilling win over Catalans Dragons. Here are my Hull KR vs Hull FC predictions, the latest team news and Betfred's match odds.

Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos Odds

Team News

Leeds boss Brad Arthur has named an unchanged squad after last week's win over the Wolves. He is a head coach who craves consistency, having only made a single change the week before despite a surprise defeat at Hull FC.

What will be interesting, of course, is whether the matchday 17 remains unchanged. England centre Harry Newman is again named in the initial 21-man party despite being dropped from the team last week, with Australian Jack Bird impressing on his debut at right centre. Arthur indicated this week that Bird will keep his place, so Newman is likely to be absent once more.

The other decision would appear to be veteran Ryan Hall or Chris Hankinson on the right wing, with the pair having alternated in recent weeks. Hankinson provides cover for a number of positions on the bench and that seems to work against him in selection to start.

Bradford won't risk forward Eribe Doro, who hasn't featured since picking up an ankle injury in the Betfred Challenge Cup. Ebon Scurr also misses out again but is nearing full fitness. Eliot Peposhi returns from a three-match ban while new boy Phoenix Steinwede made his debut off the bench last week and could be handed a first start

Leeds by 11-15 @ 6/1

After rediscovering some of their best form to end Warrington's winning run last week, the Rhinos head into the derby as big favourites to win the first Super League clash between the two sides in 12 years.

Leeds won the 2014 fixture in Bradford 46-6, while the most recent competitive meeting was the Bulls' famous 24-22 Challenge Cup win at Odsal in 2019.

Last week was much more like the Leeds we are used to seeing, as they outplayed Warrington for large periods of the game. As we said in this column "this just feels like a game that Leeds could win" against the odds and so it proved. I feel Leeds will win this one too.

The handicap is 16 points - pretty big for an away derby game, but reflective of a Bulls defence who conceded seven tries at a poor Castleford side last week.

There are two schools of thought here. Leeds could build on last week and destroy Bradford at a canter. But on a heavy Odsal pitch under the lights with a hostile crowd behind them, I can't see the Bulls not fighting hard for this.

I grew up in Leeds during the Bullmania era and always feared travelling to watch the Rhinos at Odsal against Vainikolo, Vaikona and Co. I'm actually looking forward to this game. This is a derby that is great for the sport and one Leeds should absolutely win.

Kurt Haggerty is doing a really good job with Bradford on their return to the top tier and this is likely to be their biggest test so far. Having won three from six they will fancy it too, but I'm looking at Leeds to dig deep for a win by two-to-three scores.

Kallum Watkins Anytime Tryscorer @ 7/2

The man to stop in a Leeds shirt right now is Maika Sivo, but he is running so hot that the odds are reflective of his form. With 12 tries in five games, 14 in his last six, the powerhouse winger is just 2/7 to score a try in this one.

Fellow winger Ryan Hall needs just one try to hit 250 for Leeds - and if you fancy that coming in this game then that is a 4/5 chance.

For Bradford, I would be looking at winger Ethan Ryan at 7/4 or half-back Jayden Nikorima (9/4) to break through.

A bit more value might come in the pack though, where Kallum Watkins will remember this derby from his first stint in a Leeds shirt. Watkins is enjoying a renaissance in the second row having been a flying centre through the first part of his career.

He has come very close to scoring in the last few games, and can exploit some of the space being created by having Sivo outside him down the left. It is a bit of a punt, but 7/2 on a Watkins try is a gamble I'm happy to take.

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