Leigh Leopards have made an impressive return to the Betfred Super League and will be confident of registering a first Magic Weekend success when they bring the curtain up on day two at St James’ Park against winless Wakefield Trinity.
Wakefield and Leigh were among the favourites to finish bottom of the table in 2023 and while that prediction is proving accurate for Wakey, Leigh are not just surviving but thriving back in the top tier.
The Leopards are chasing a ninth Super League win of the campaign in Newcastle as they target a top-six finish and a place in the play-offs.
For Wakefield, meanwhile, any win will do as they seek to stop the rot which has seen them lose all of their 13 league matches this term.
Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards Betting Tips:
Date: Sunday 4th June, 2023
Time: 12:00
Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Team news
David Fifita will make his second debut for Trinity after re-joining the club on a short-term deal. Fellow mid-season arrival Luke Gale remains sidelined with a groin injury and forward Kelepi Tanginoa suffered a suspected broken arm in last week’s 36-6 defeat at Catalans.
Leigh boss Adrian Lam has named an unchanged squad.
Leigh Leopards -18 @ EVS
Leigh have never won at Magic Weekend – losing to Salford in 2017 and Hull KR four years later on their previous two visits to Newcastle – but the in-form Leopards will surely never have a better opportunity to set that record straight on Sunday.
Adrian Lam’s men have won their last six matches in all competitions and two of those successes have come against Magic Weekend opponents Wakefield.
Trinity were humbled 32-0 by the Leopards on home soil in Super League in mid-April and they fared only marginally better in a 40-12 Challenge Cup defeat two weeks ago.
Wakefield, who are yet to win this season, are handed an 18-point start on the handicap at St James’ Park but even that may not be enough to stop the lively Leopards.
Lachlan Lam last tryscorer @ 20/1
Winger Josh Charnley has been Leigh’s most potent threat with ball in hand this season, registering 15 tries in just 13 league games.
The former Wigan and Warrington flyer scored twice against Wakefield in April’s league win at Belle Vue and crossed again in Leigh’s cup success over Wakey last month.
Charnley is an obvious threat to Trinity’s defensive line but Leigh boast attacking weapons across the pitch.
Lachlan Lam, son of Leigh head coach Adrian, is usually at the heart of the Leopards’ attacking play and the scrum-half had assisted a league-high 14 tries prior to Magic Weekend.
But the playmaker also knows his way to the try line and could be worth a speculative punt at big odds to score the last try in the St James’ Park contest.
Wakefield have made more tackles than any other side in Super League this season, and given they are expected to have to do the bulk of the defensive work, their forwards could tire late on.
If they do, Lam could take advantage courtesy of his fleet footwork and ball skills.
Welcome Offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in FREE Bets
New 18+ UK customers.
1st bet on sports of £10+ in one transaction at evens (2.0)+ settled within 7 days of registering.
£30 paid in free bets within 10 hours of bet settlement, 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply.
Full Terms & Conditions apply.
The post Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards Prediction: No Magic fix for Wakey appeared first on Betfred Blog.
