- Leigh have won two games in a row in Super League
- St Helens come into the match on the back of four successive defeats
- Recommended bet: Leigh to win

St Helens will hope to end their winless run at the expense of Leigh Leopards when the two sides meet in Super League on Friday night.

The hosts have improved their position in the table after moving into eight after back-to-back wins, but they are still seven points behind the top six, and their quest for the play-offs looks to be bleak.

St Helens are fourth, but Paul Wellens' team have lost four in a row and are looking vulnerable ahead of Friday's meeting.

Team news

Leigh boss Adrian Lam has the likes of Gareth O'Brien, Zak Hardaker, Josh Charnley, Matt Moylan and Lachlan Lam all available, with the Leopards now over their injury crisis that rocked them in the first few months of the season.

They signed Bailey Hodgson on a short-term deal earlier this week, but he will not be in the matchday 21-man squad.

Wellens makes three changes to the team that lost 10-24 to Warrington Wolves with Jake Burns, Tee Ritson and Owen Dagnall dropping out of the 21-man squad.

Matt Whitley returns after recovering from a shoulder injury, while winger Tommy Makinson could also be back in the mix, and Leon Cowen could make his Super League and Saints debut if he features.

The stats

Leigh have only won two Super League games against St Helens, and they have lost the last two meetings between the two clubs.

Adrian Lam's side will be full of confidence after successive victories, especially with St Helens losing their last four matches in Super League.

Friday's game could be a milestone occasion for Makinson and Leigh's Zak Hardaker. Hardaker needs two tries to reach 100 in Super League and 150 for his career, while Makinson needs one effort to draw level with Ryan Atkins in seventh place in the list of Super League's all-time leaders.

Prediction

Wellens' side are doing it tough at the minute, and they are missing some of their key players for the next few weeks.

Those absences have taken their toll on their results, and four defeats in a row is unheard of for the Red V.

They may have won two in a row between the two clubs, but Leigh's squad will be more experienced on Friday night, and that could be the difference in a close game.

St Helens looked a little lost in attack against Warrington, and without their key players, they should come unstuck once more.

Back Leigh to win at 23/20 with LiveScore Bet