Giants 11/2 for shock win at Headingley

The games are coming thick and fast now as the Sky cameras are at Headingley on Thursday Night where Huddersfield are the visitors.

Rick Stone’s Giants will be looking to put last week’s shock cup defeat to Swinton behind them with a win against the joint top Rhinos.

Leeds had a comfortable win over Doncaster in the cup and have put last season’s nightmare well and truly behind them as they keep up the pressure on Castleford at the top of the table.

Both sides took the chance to rest key players in the cup last week, Brough was banned for the game against Swinton and returns for the Giants alongside England winger McGillvary.

Brian Mac brings back the likes of Ward and Delaney with teenage sensation jack Walker retaining his place.

Super League sponsors Betfred give the Giants an 18-point start for this one and that is fair enough given the awful run of results they’ve had.

Huddersfield haven’t won since February, including a defeat to Leeds at home last month. They have had two draws in that time though, their last two away games have seen a draw at St Helens and a narrow loss at Warrington.

Maybe they can stay inside three scores tonight. In fact only one of their last six games has seen a margin bigger than tonight’s handicap.

For all it was an awful defeat to Swinton, they did rest key players and both last week’s cup games can be disregarded. I can’t see Huddersfield pulling off a shock win at massive odds of 11/2 given the form Leeds are in, but with Brough’s kicking and a decent record at Headingley, they may just keep this to around 11-15 points.

Leeds are unbackable at 1/9 to win, this can be boosted to around 3/10 on the Half Time Full Time, but given that they’re on a run of six wins in seven you have to think the layers have got the odds spot on.

Hall and Briscoe head the first try betting at around 6/1, I just favour in form Watkins at 8/1. Last week’s hero against Doncaster, Jack Walker, is 9/1. If the Giants are to score 1st it’s hard to see past 8/1 McGillvary.

Finally the man of the match,  Parcell heads the market at 6/1 and that looks like good value given the home sides price to win the game. If Leeds do run riot it could go to a multi-try-scorer, but Parcell should be involved in most of the Rhinos attacks so I just favour him over 8/1 Watkins.

Brough is very short at 8/1 when you can get 11/2 for a Giants win, there maybe better value in 25/1 for McGillvary.

Warrington visit Hull on Friday night Rugby. As always, please gamble responsibly.