Leeds Rhinos vs Leigh Leopards line-ups predicted as key man set for return

Friday night sees arguably the match of the round take place, when fourth-placed Leeds Rhinos host third-placed Leigh Leopards at AMT Headingley. 

Both sides have enjoyed a strong first half of the season, and are vying for a top six playoff spot come the end of the season. 

A win for Leeds would see them leapfrog Leigh to re-gain third, whilst an away victory for the Leopards would increase the gap to fourth to three points. 

Both teams will see this fixture as must-win should they want success at the end of the season, and here is how we think the two will line up on Friday night. 

Leeds Rhinos:

The big news from the Rhinos camp is that Morgan Gannon is unavailable after sustaining a shin injury in last week’s away defeat to St Helens. 

He is one of two changes to the initial squad, with overseas import Ethan Clark-Wood also missing from the 21. Youngsters Alfie Edgell and Presley Cassell are drafted in their place. 

Andy Ackers could make his return to the first team set-up after injury has seen him out of action since March. He featured in the Rhinos’ last two reserve games, alongside Jack Sinfield and Cooper Jenkins. 

Predicted Leeds Rhinos side: 1. Lachie Miller, 23. Riley Lumb, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Ash Handley, 5. Ryan Hall; 6. Brodie Croft, 18. Jake Connor; 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 10. Keenan Palasia; 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 28; Kallum Watkins.

Subs: 9. Andy Ackers, 13. Cameron Smith, 15. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Holroyd. 

Leigh Leopards: 

Alec Tuitavake will serve a one-match suspension after accumulating six penalty points after the Leopards’ away victory in Perpignan last weekend. He is the only change from the side that faced Catalans on Sunday. 

Josh Charnley is still named in the initial squad, despite being out of favour under Adrian Lam and is second in the pecking order to Keanan Brand. The 34-year-old is Super League’s second highest ever try scorer, but has only featured seven times this season. 

Predicted Leigh Leopards side: 1. David Armstrong, 2. Darnell McIntosh, 3. Tesi Niu, 4. Umyla Handley, 18. Keanan Brand, 6. Gareth O’Brien, 7. Lachlan Lam, 32; Joe Ofahengaue, 9. Edwin Ipape, 10. Rob Mulhern; 11. Frankie Halton, 8. Owen Trout, 13. Isaac Liu.

Subs: 12. Jack Hughes, 16. Matt Davis, 20. Ethan O’Neill, 22. Ben McNamara.