Catalans-2.5

French look good value to cover the start.

Good performance by Leeds last week- probably deserved to take something from a very tough fixture at Wigan- but again it is another defeat which makes it 4 in the last 6. Their only 2 wins were over 2nd botton side Celtic in a very tight match, and at home to HKR.

The manager is under a lot of pressure and while you can never write a side like Leeds off its this is not the side that dominated super league for so many years. Few players are getting on and they dont have the forward power that Wigan, Giants, Wire or Catalans have.

Catalans are on terrific form at the moment- just 2 defeats in 13. One of them came in a very close game at Huddersfield which they could easily of won and the other at todays opponents Leeds- when injuries hit them.

We have seen them beat Wigan twice, also Warrington, and run in plenty of points against Cas and Wakey. I think its fair to say this side has plenty about them and could do something when the play offs come around.

Very powerful in the forwards but their attack continues to improve too. Dureau is one of the top half- backs in super league and no one supports the ball carrier better than Greenshields. Henderson makes some excellent dummy half runs and Menzies adds that bit of magic.

Their team spirit is much better this season, so is their fitness, and that play the ball is pretty sharp too. The performance at Bradford said it all- they played the second half a man down but looked the side with an advantage.

I quite like the fact Leeds beat them earlier in the season because it should add a little bit of motivation to the French side. I expect them to be too big and poweful for Leeds and Catalans willl also cope with the hot conditions much better. Its tough to play in the heat over there as Cas found out a fortnight ago.

Should see a big game from Milliard and Vaccari. They are linking up very well on the left side of the park and as everyone knows Leeds dont defend on the right all that well. But the big forwards should win this for Catalans if they get on a roll in that weather i dont see Leeds having the strength to stop them.

Catalans-.2.5 with sp at 1.91