IT's a classic War of the Roses at Old Trafford on Saturday with St Helens from our side of the Pennines taking on Leeds in the Betfred Super League Grand Final.
The Rhinos were at one point 66/1 with us to be champions after their dire start to the season, but they’re now the in-form team with 11 wins in their last 13 games.
It was, however, a big surprise to us at Betfred when they overcame Wigan to reach Saturday’s finale of this tremendous campaign.
Coach Rowan Smith has done a marvellous job turning round the fortunes of Leeds, who will be looking to revive times gone by as they played and beat Saints in three previous Grand Finals in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
So, for St Helens there’s added spice with revenge in the air as they bid to make it an unprecedented four straight Grand Final triumphs on the bounce - and make themselves immortal in the game.
Two star players won’t be there on Saturday – namely Aiden Sezer, who is out having failed a Head Injury Assessment following a high tackle from Wigan’s John Bateman in the semi-final, and Saints’ talisman Alex Walmsley whose foot injury will keep him out on Saturday and for England’s World Cup campaign.
But there will still be plenty of stars on show, with ex-Wire stand-off Blake Austin to name but one of the Rhinos – while Saints have Tommy Makinson and of course their inspirational skipper James Roby.
Betfred have Makinson 8/1 to score the first try on Saturday, with Roby a 25/1 shot – but the man in-form is Joe Batchelor, who scored two in Saints’ semi-final triumph over Salford, and he’s 14/1 to open the scoring.
We make Saints 1/2 to write their name into the history books, while Leeds are 7/4 to lift the trophy.
For the Rhinos, Tom Briscoe is 14/1 to cross the line first, with Zak Hardaker 20/1 – the same price as Austin.
It’s sure to be a virtual full house at Old Trafford for what will be a spectacular and memorable event .
There’s no Premier League action this weekend thanks to the dreaded international break, which sees England play Italy at the San Siro on Friday.
Gareth Southgate’s side, who are third favourites at 7/1 for the World Cup, go into the Nations League game slight favourites at 6/4 to claim all three points.
Harry Kane is 7/4 to score first, while new boy Ivan Toney is available at 11/2. Then on Monday we have Germany at Wembley as our team for Qatar takes shape.
Finally what an incredible story surrounding our latest Betfred Bonus King Bingo winner. This Romanian customer put his usual numbers on the slip in one of our shops in Northampton and after handing over his £1 stake nipped to the loo.
Two minutes later he returned to find his six numbers had all been drawn - and he'd won the £100,000 jackpot.
Best penny he's ever spent I'd say...he must be flushed with success!
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