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This is one match with something on the line for both teams so expect the Leopards and the Saints to go all out for the win
START DATE/TIME: Friday 20th September, 2024, UK – 8:00pm / Saturday 21st September, AUS - 5:00am / Friday 20th September, US ET – 3:00pm / Friday 20th September, US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK - This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports + / AUS - This match will be broadcast live on Fox League / US - This match will not be broadcast live
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK - This match will be streamed on SkyGo / AUS - This match will be streamed on Kayo Sports / US - This match will be streamed on SuperLeague+
LEIGH LEOPARDS FORM: WIN NEEDED TO SECURE TOP SIX SPOT
The Leigh Leopards have raised their game at the right time of season winning five of their last six matches to put them in pole position of claiming a top six place. They were disappointing in the 24-0 loss to Hull KR last week but they have enjoyed a good run prior to that albeit against teams in the bottom half of the table. A win here ensures a place in the play-offs and will also see them avoid the harder eliminator; likely against Warrington.
LAST FIVE: WWWWL
ST. HELENS FORM: WIN COULD HAND SAINTS HOME PLAY-OFF TIE
Saints have been in and around the play-offs all season but needed to win two of their last three matches to secure their place in the top six. A win here and defeat for Salford will see them also secure a home eliminator which they will be eager to do and something coach Paul Wellens has spoken about being a good achievement for them this season.
LAST FIVE: LLWLW
LEIGH LEOPARDS TEAM NEWS: KEY HOOKER BACK FOR ADRIAN LAM’S MEN
This will be the final regular season match for the quartet of skipper John Asiata, prop Tom Amone, second row Kai O’Donnell and centre Zak Hardaker who are all departing the club at the end of the season and they will be eager to ensure it is not their last match of the season.
Key hooker Edwin Ipape has recovered from a shoulder injury and he should be able to start while it will be interesting to see if Adrian Lam sticks with Matt Moylan after his torrid performance last week.
21-MAN SQUAD: 1. Gareth O'Brien 3. Zak Hardaker 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Josh Charnley 6. Matt Moylan 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Tom Amone 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Robbie Mulhern 11. Kai O'Donnell 12. Jack Hughes 13. John Asiata 15. Matt Davis 16. Frankie Halton 17. Owen Trout 20. Oliver Holmes 22. Keanan Brand 24. Umyla Hanley 33. Brad Dwyer 34. Darnell McIntosh 35. Aaron Pene
ST. HELENS TEAM NEWS: STRONG SQUAD NAMED AS SAINTS LOOK TO TUNE UP FOR PLAY-OFFS
There is only one change to the squad for Saints coming into this match as Moses Mbye is back from suspension and he replaces Tee Ritson in the 21-man squad.
Continuity is key for coach Paul Wellens and he will be looking at this match as a key one to build up the likes of Jack Welsby who need to get more minutes under their belt after returning from injury. They have had so many injuries to contend with this season but they now have a chances to build some momentum so expect them to play hard here and go all out for the win and to build match sharpness.
21-MAN SQUAD: 1. Jack Welsby 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Waqa Blake 4. Mark Percival 5. Jonathan Bennison 6. Jonny Lomax 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Alex Walmsley 9. Daryl Clark 10. Matty Lees 11. Sione Mata'utia 12. Joe Batchelor 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Moses Mbye 17. Agnatius Paasi 19. Matt Whitley 20. George Delaney 21. Ben Davies 24. Jake Burns 30. Jonny Vaughan 31. Noah Stephens
LEIGH LEOPARDS VS ST. HELENS PREDICTION
St Helens come into this match with their play-off place all but secure but they crucially have virtually of their key players back fit again for this play-off run. That makes them a dangerous side in these play-offs and they are desperate to get some momentum leading into them.
They face a Leopards side that need a win themselves to assure themselves of the play-offs although they could still lose and make them. They will however go all out themselves and that should make for a great game.
The home team has won the last six meetings between these two sides but we think this one may buck the trend. Saints have all their key men at their disposal, can potentially earn a home eliminator with a win and they can build some momentum here. We fancy them to get the win.
LEIGH LEOPARDS VS ST. HELENS TIP: ST HELENS TO WIN