and what an unexpected loss changes.....[url=http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/8124889.Saints_new_favourites_to_take_Super_League_crown/?ref=rssSts local rag[/url

likewise

Qué?

SAINTS have been installed as the bookmakers' new favourites to win the Super League Grand Final. It follows their 41-20 victory over reigning champions Leeds and Wigan's defeat to Harlequins last weekend. Paddy Power and Totesport have Saints at 11/4 to lift the Super League trophy, while Ladbrokes and William Hill are offering 5/2. Leeds are second favourites and Wigan third. www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/812 ... n/?ref=rss

SAINTS have been installed as the bookmakers' new favourites to win the Super League Grand Final. It follows their 41-20 victory over reigning champions Leeds and Wigan's defeat to Harlequins last weekend. Paddy Power and Totesport have Saints at 11/4 to lift the Super League trophy, while Ladbrokes and William Hill are offering 5/2. Leeds are second favourites and Wigan third. www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/812 ... n/?ref=rss

The bookies can say and do what they want. The results and events on RL pitches will determine which clubs lift the available silverware. I doubt one single bookmaker had Wire as favourites to lift the cup last year. Didn't stop it happening though.

Bookmakers odds are only a method by which they will stand to pay out less money and make more profit. They have little relevance to the destiny of the trophy and are not really worthy of mention IMO.

I find it odd we're third favs since we have beaten both Saints and Leeds this year already.

Odds fluctuate because of the amount of money that is wagered against a particular team so that the bookie stands less chance of losing a fortune. That is the main factor in deciding odds not who the most likely winner is. More money will have been placed on bets for Saints and Leeds to win it so their odds shorten.

We're actually favourites with William Hill to finish top (Wigan 13/8, Stains 9/4, Wire 3/1)
Same at Tote

We're second favourites for the Grand Final (Stains 5/2, Wigan 11/4, Leeds 3/1) with Will Hill
Tote have both Stains and Leeds at 11/4 for the GF, with Wigan 3rd at 3/1

Basically, it's a St Helens based newspaper talking balls again and twisting the facts to suit their own ends

That's kind of my point really if I hadn't made a balls of the link. IMO Leeds when they get they're pack firing on all cylinders will still be the team to beat.

Not if they give as many penalties away and drop as much ball as they did against Saints. Saturday's performance was as bad as I've seen from Leeds in a good while

And a total inability to control the speed of the ruck. They played right into Saints' hands so we had the majority of their attacking play down a small strip in the middle, the fast attacking rugby that apparently fans want to see. The muppets at Sky were almost orgasmic.