Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards Prediction: Visitors can edge close affair

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Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards Odds

The visitors are odds-on at 4/11 to earn both points, while Bradford are available at 12/5. The draw is priced up at 16/1.

Joint-favourites to open the scoring at Bartercard Odsal are Leigh's Innes Senior and Josh Charnley, at 7/1.

Team News

Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty has a few concerns this week but does have forward Phoenix Steinwede back available after an injury that has kept the Australian out since April.

Half-back Jayden Nikorima scored a try in the win over York last week and is included in the 21-man squad despite Haggerty rating his fitness as 50-50 after picking up an issue late on in that game.

Wingers Ethan Ryan and Guy Armitage were both named in last week's squad - Ryan played but Armitage missed out - both are included again.

Joe Mellor and Ryan Sutton came through their comebacks unscathed and retain their places but Jayden Okunbor remains sidelined and Jamie Gill drops out of the squad to accommodate Steinwede's return.

Leigh have had injury problems in the centres all season with Umyla Hanley and Tesi Niu both in and out of the side. The pair are named in the squad this week which would be a huge boost to the Leopards.

Keenan Brand is still out and nobody actually drops out of the squad from last week's win given boss Adrian Lam only named 19 of a possible 21.

Leigh Leopards to win by 1-12 points @ 19/10

This should be a great match up with Leigh picking up pace in their pursuit of the playoff spots and Bradford proving very stubborn on home soil in their first season back in the big time.

Both earned narrow wins last week as tipped in this column and this is another fixture that could genuinely swing either way.

The Bulls' home record is good - all five of their wins this year have come at Odsal and that kind of home form breeds real confidence.

Leigh come into this one just outside the top six and churned out a tough 24-14 win at a dogged Castleford last weekend. The Leopards have actually won their last three away Super League games including a tough trip to Catalans so this could be a real test of Bradford's home resolve.

The start is key - as always - and if Bradford get off to a flyer they could be tough to rein in. But of the two teams, I feel Leigh have the greater talent at their disposal. Much therefore will depend on the fitness of Hanley and Niu and if both start then I think the Leopards can emerge from fortress Odsal with the points.