Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Prediction: Hosts should have too much firepower in all-French affair

The first meeting of the season between the Betfred Super League's two French sides takes place at the Stade Gilbert Brutus as Toulouse Olympique make the trip to face Catalans Dragons. (Kick-off 18:00)

The Dragons have shown glimpses of their old form this year while Toulouse have won two of their six games back in the big time.  Read on for my Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse predictions.

Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Odds

Team News

The Dragons picked up a couple of injuries last week in the defeat at Hull FC, with hooker Alrix da Costa and captain Ben Garcia the two key men to suffer issues.

Both miss out this week, but Catalans do welcome back both Julien Bousquet and Josh Allen from concussion protocols.

Former St Helens pair Lewis Dodd and Tommy Makinson were named in the 21-man squad in Hull but didn't feature, and both are selected again in the initial squad.

Toulouse boss Sylvain Houles makes just one change to the squad who lost by a golden point at Leigh Leopards. Tiaki Chan has arrived on a loan deal from Wigan Warriors and he takes the place of Baptiste Rodriguez. Chan has just finished a loan spell with Catalans so could come up against his most recent employers.

Winning Margin - Catalans Dragons 11-15 points  @ 13/2

I can't wait for the Easter Weekend bonanza of rugby league on TV (don't tell my family) and this game is actually one that I am looking forward to most. Having lived in France I can attest to the passion for the game over the channel, and it will be fantastic to see these two go toe to toe in the top flight.

Having won both of their first two games in February, Toulouse ended March with the unwelcome record of four losses from four games. But Olympique were not hammered in any of those four, losing by that single golden point last week at Leigh, with the heftiest loss coming by 20 points at Wigan.

The Dragons meanwhile look much more on it this year, and produced a brilliant fightback in Hull last week. We were looking at a cricket score as Catalans fell 22-0 down having lost those two players to injury, so credit to the remaining 15 in the squad who battled back to lose late on 24-20.

Prior to that defeat the Dragons had won three on the spin, including the scalp of champions Hull KR. So while I fancy this to be intense, I very much fancy the home side to flex their muscles and show Toulouse where the balance of power lies between the two French sides in Super League. One thing Catalans must improve on from last week is their discipline, which has long been their Achilles heal.

Catalans are always weakened I feel by the absence of Garcia who is picking up a few injuries in his advancing years, but they should still have too much for Toulouse in what I anticipate being a fast-paced game.

The handicap is at 14 which feels reasonable, and I am going to be a little bolder and look at the victory margin, which I feel will be by two or three scores if Toulouse are up for a fight.

Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e anytime tryscorer @ 9/4

I have enjoyed some fine fortune backing entertaining full-back Charlie Staines in Dragons games this year, and the Australian came up trumps for us again at Hull last week with an anytime try at 5/4.

I like Staines again this week, but at 5/6 it feels like others might be catching up with our interest in the in-form former NRL star.

Another player who I am expecting to explode on the Super League stage very soon is Phoenix Laulu-Togag'e. I have worked with PLT during his time at Oldham in the Championship for the past two years and his talent is frightening. Full-back is where he is most dangerous, but his versatility has seen him start the last few games, either in the halves, on the wing or at centre.

There is an asterisk on this selection, especially with Dodd and Makinson pushing for recalls, but if PLT keeps his place I feel he is a consistent threat for a try, and at 9/4 he just edges out my Staines pick this week.

For Toulouse to have a good day there needs to be points from the likes of Benjamin Laguerre (5/4) who scored two at Leigh last week, and full-back Olly Ashall- Bott (6/4).

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