Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards Prediction: Back the Pratt attack for Trinity

Wakefield bid to build on their thrilling Betfred Challenge Cup win over Leeds last weekend with a return to Super League action when Leigh Leopards head to the DIY Kitchens Stadium. (20:00 GMT, live on Sky Sports+).

Trinity produced a superb performance to knock out the Rhinos but can they back it up in the league against a Leigh side desperate to kickstart their own campaign after a lacklustre start. Our rugby league guru George Riley shares his Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards predictions, complete with the latest match odds and team news.

Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards Odds

Team News

Wakefield are boosted by the return of former Brisbane Bronco Tyson Smoothy after a two-match absence following a head injury at Warrington.

Winger Tom Johnstone made his return from a knee injury last week. He played his first rugby of the year against Leeds and came through unscathed.

Tray Lolesio is the man to drop out - he's gone to Bradford on loan.

As for Leigh, their injury list is a lengthy one and it got even worse in last weekend's Cup win as winger Keenan Brand suffered an ankle injury in the first minute.

So Brand is out, along with almost the rest of the spine - full-backs David Armstrong, Bailey Hodgson, hooker Edwin Ipape and centre Umyla Hanley. At least half-backs Lachlam Lam and Adam Cook are fit.

Also out is Andrew Badrock who has dislocated his shoulder, and he joins prop Joe Ofahengaue and Aaron Pene on the sidelines.

England prop Owen Trout is also a doubt with a rib issue, but Matt Davis should return from concussion protocols. In short Leigh are doing it tough and it feels a good time to play the Leopards.

Wakefield Trinity 6-10 points @ 4/1

Hands up, I owe Wakefield an apology after all but writing them off against Leeds in the Cup last week. That said, the first half went exactly as I anticipated and the Rhinos were firmly in control. Credit Trinity therefore for a remarkable turnaround either side of half-time.

This feels like a good contest and one I'm looking forward to. If both teams were full-strength then I would have Leigh to edge it. But Wakefield at home against an injury-ravaged Leopards has to be the play.

Wakey boss Daryl Powell needs to bottle that second-half performance against Leeds and find a way to get his players to show that for 80 this week. If they do that then I think they have enough against a dangerous opponent.

I really feel for Leigh boss Adrian Lam, who has such an array of attacking threat unavailable in Armstrong, Hanley and now Brand. The absence of Dream Team centre Hanley - one of the competition's most exciting breakthrough talents - has been as big as the loss of star winger Armstrong in a run that has brought just one win in four Betfred Super League games.

Take out one of the star hookers in Edwin Ipape and any team would have problems. For that reason I have Trinity for a home win here.

These two sides actually met four times last year, with Leigh enjoying three victories but suffering a big home defeat early on in the year. All of those Leigh wins were between one and three scores, and I have Wakefield to win this by a similar margin.

Oliver Pratt anytime tryscorer @ 6/5

We have been highlighting the dangermen in Wakefield's outside backs in the anytime scorer market this year, with Jayden Myers and Oliver Pratt the two standout performers.

Pratt especially is a real rising star, and his try against Leeds last week was his third in the last three games.

If you like a milestone try then Tom Johnstone will be making his 200th career appearance this week - he is 1/1 to mark it with a try.

For Leigh, I would look at wingers Innes Senior or Josh Charnley - two very reliable scorers (who also have no competition for their places right now).

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