Leeds Rhinos vs York Knights Prediction: Handicap market looks welcoming for visitors

Leeds Rhinos seek their first win of the new Betfred Super League campaign when they host newly-promoted York Knights at AMT Headingley, with the visitors bouncing after their shock Round 1 win over champions Hull KR  (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports+)

York showed their spirit in a fightback win last week while the Rhinos will need a much-improved display following their loss at Leigh before they head off to Las Vegas next week. Read on for my Leeds Rhinos vs York Knights predictions, Betfred's full match odds and the latest team news.

Team News

Rhinos boss Brad Arthur delivered a positive injury update this week, with his much-fancied squad looking to bounce back in front of their home crowd.

Long-term injury victim Maiko Sivo is finally set for his Betfred Super League debut after a year out with an ACL injury, and I expect the powerhouse winger to quickly become a crowd favourite in the blue and amber.

There will be a debut too for Jerry Mata'utia, while Jake Connor makes his return after missing last week's defeat. Forwards Keenan Palasia and Cameron Smith are also added to the squad.

England internationals Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki are not yet ready to return, while Max Simpson and Alfie Edgell are out long term

York boss Mark Applegarth makes one change to the squad who recorded the result of the round in beating Hull KR.

Former Penrith youngster John Sagaga comes into contention for his debut, with Jack Smith the man to drop out.

Danny Richardson, King Vuniyayawa and Kieran Buchanan retain their places in the squad having not featured last week.

Leeds Rhinos vs York Knights Odds

Despite their stunning win last week, the odds are not in favour of the Knights repeating the trick.

They are 10/1 to make it two-from-two at Headingley, with Leeds the heavy 1/25 favourites. The draw is a 25/1 shot.

The two-way handicap market sees the Rhinos giving up a 22.5-point start in return for a shortened price of 20/21. York are 5/6 to come out on top with the extra leg-up.

Handicap 3-way: York +22 @ 1/1

Hull KR boss Willie Peters was full of praise for York after their comeback win over his side in Round 1, and if the Knights can channel that spirit in this first Super League derby between the two sides then there is every chance of another upset.

Toulouse may have won the Betfred Championship Grand Final last year, but York were the best side over the course of the season. And the early signs are that Applegarth's men are not in the top flight to make up the numbers.

Centre Sam Wood and half-back Ata Hingano were two of their star men last week but the performance of the pack also gave me reason to believe they will upset a few more teams this year.

As for Leeds, we backed them in this column to lose at Leigh and so it proved - I just felt the Rhinos had too many players missing to mount a serious challenge to the Leopards.

The Rhinos head to Vegas next week to face Hull KR, which will be a big distraction, so this could be a fascinating game. I'm expecting a much-improved Leeds performance and I think Leeds can win, but with the handicap at 22 I feel it may be closer.

I do buy into the hype around the Rhinos this year but feel we won't see the best of Arthur's men for a few months. And York, as we know, have absolutely nothing to lose.

As such, I'm taking the Knights on the handicap. I'm not suggesting this will be another stunning upset, but I do favour the Super League new boys with a hefty-looking 22-point start.

Lachie Miller Anytime Tryscorer @ 10/11

My second selection is a bit of a stubborn one, given Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller did so well for me in the anytime scorer market last season but came up dry in Round 1.

Granted, he is the type of player who comes into his own when the weather improves and the ground hardens - most Aussies are - but I am sticking to my guns with my tip for Miller to be one of the stars of the season.

York had a lot of joy in the centres last week, with Sam Wood helping himself to two tries. He looks a decent shout at 9/2 if you fancy more joy for the Knights, while Ben Jones-Bishop was a Grand Final winner in a Leeds shirt and is available at 11/4 to score on his return to Headingley.

I'm going to stick to my guns though and back the Leeds full-back to help give his side the edge in a ferocious game.

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