Right Said Fred: Talking betting with Betfred boss Fred Done

It’s crunch time in the Betfred Super League – and I for one can’t wait for the bone-crunching action to begin.

We are at the business end of the season with the six top clubs vying to reach the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 9.

Thursday sees the first of the eliminator games as fourth-placed Wigan play fifth-placed Leeds, before Friday’s do or die game between Warrington and Hull KR. 

Here are the thoughts of Oldham-born Betfred TV pundit Paul Sculthorpe, a true legend of the game who has twice been crowned Man of Steel.

He thinks Wigan, who have a tendency to up their game when it matters, will have too much for the inconsistent Rhinos. The Warriors are coming off a confidence-boosting win against League Leaders Shield winners Catalans Dragons, who surprisingly fielded a strong side despite having nothing to play for. 

Leeds themselves come into the playoffs on the back of a good win against Hull KR, but Sculthorpe is still to be convinced they’ve got enough to challenge for silverware. 

The Robins, who snatched the sixth and final spot will travel to Warrington, hoping to find themselves just 80 minutes away from their first ever Betfred Super League Grand Final. 

However, the legend is backing a Wolves win which would set up an almighty semi-final visit to St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium to face the current champions, who this week have been enjoying a well earned week off.

Also enjoying a week with no fixture after another demanding Covid-led season are the Catalans Dragons. The French side will play the lowest-placed elimination winners, which if Sculthorpe’s predictions are correct would see the Warriors travel to Perpignan next weekend.

One player the Dragons will be sweating on being fit for that is top player Sam Tomkins. The fullback limped off in the 12-6 defeat against his former club with a medial knee injury, and now faces a race to be fit for the finals. This would be a huge blow for his side if he doesn’t make it.

So, if Sculthorpe is correct and we do get a Saints-Wire and Catalans-Wigan semi-final, I’m going to say we will see the two most consistent teams over the season go head to head on October 9, with the odds certainly indicating a Saints-Dragons final.

What a game this would be too – especially after the unimaginable golden point finish the last time these two teams met at Magic Weekend in Newcastle.

Catalans have looked the real deal this year, only losing four games all season, and deservedly finished top of the table after the regular season. However, two of these defeats have come in the last two weeks and with the potential loss of their talisman Tomkins the question Sculthorpe has posed is: Are the wheels starting to come loose? 

One player who will be looking to steer them to victory is the vastly experienced James Maloney who has announced his retirement from the Betfred Super League at the end of this year.

Latest Betfred odds for Old Trafford glory:

Saints remain favourites at 11/10, with Catalans 3/1, Warrington 7/2, Wigan 10/1, Leeds 20/1, followed by outsiders Hull KR at 25/1.

Wigan are priced at 1/2 favourites with us to topple the Rhinos on Thursday while Warrington are clear 1/6 favourites against Hull KR. 

What a game that will be for Warrington coach Steve Price if the Wire upset the odds – and he’s able to leave the club on a high. The Wolves have been in the Grand Final four times but never won it so it would be quite a coup for Price to triumph. 

It's a nice touch that ex-Wire Kevin Brown, now of course with Salford, has been chosen to Mark his retirement from the game by walking out with the trophy on October 9.

Turning to the Premier League City's home no score draw with Southampton when the need of someone just like Harry Kane was exposed has led to a re-think of the outright champions odds.

City are still 15/8 favourites to retain the title at Betfred with Chelsea 2/1 with Liverpool 7/2 and United 5/1.

Money speaks and it is looking like – even though it is still September - that it will be between these four as Spurs are next up at 100/1.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the new favourite at Betfred to be the Premier League’s top goalscorer this season after making a blistering start to life back at United.

The 36-year-old made it three from two in the league when scoring in United’s dramatic 2-1 win over West Ham at the weekend and is now 2/1 at Betfred to win the Golden Boot.

Just behind him in the betting is Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, also on three goals so far this season, at 5/2.

Mo Salah, one of just three players currently sitting on four league goals, is a 4/1 shot – while Bruno Fernandes and Michail Antonio, the other two at the top of the goalscorer standings, are 16/1 and 33/1 respectively.

Harry Kane has had an unusually quiet – and goalless – start to the season for Tottenham but the Golden Boot holder can be backed at 12/1 to win his fourth individual title.

At bigger prices, Jamie Vardy, Sadio Mane, Son-heung Min and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are 20/1 shots – while it’s 25/1 bar.

At the bottom of the Premier League no surprise that Norwich, who have yet to pick up any points at all this season,  are odds on to be relegated back to the Championship.

They are 4/9 with us for the trap door with Burnley and Watford both 11/10 to join them in the second tier.

Steve Bruce's Newcastle are at 6/5 with Betfred to go down while Brentford - the club that's adapted best amongst the top division's new boys are priced at 4/1.

Finally Brighton, amazingly fourth in the table are 25/1 to be relegated - and 250/1 for the title!

MEANWHILE it won’t be the Big Apple but a beach holiday for a Betfred winner from Essex who picked up £19,250 from a 77p stake on the New York Lotto.

The 54-year-old family man, who works in the financial services industry, picked numbers 3, 9, 16 and 21 based on the birthdays of his three daughters and wife.

He picked them after deciding to change his numbers having won £109,000 with Betfred five years ago on the Spanish Lottery.

The lucky winner said: “I’ve religiously used those numbers for four years, and as they have not been successful until now I’ve gradually reduced the stake.

“There’s no particular reason why I put on 77p, it was just a number which came into my head at the time.

“We’ve not had time to celebrate yet, but we’ll be having a few beers this weekend in a restaurant when I’ll treat my wife and daughters.

“What am I going to do with the money? Well, we’re going to get booked to go somewhere hot. It won’t be New York, but a beach holiday somewhere like Spain or Greece.

“That’ll be about half of it, and the rest I’m going to get the kitchen revamped at home. It’s needed to be done for a couple of years or so, so this money will be handy for that.”

We continue to payout substantial amounts for people waging tiny stakes such as this fella from Essex.

Congratulations to him, and I hope he enjoys his break with the family in the sun.