Super League XVII kicks off on Friday night with reigning champions Leeds Rhinos hosting Hull KR and newcomers Widnes Vikings welcoming Wakefield Wildcats to the Stobart Stadium. On Saturday London Broncos, who were known as Harlequins last season, welcome St Helens to Twickenham Stoop and Salford City Reds take on Castleford Tigers.

Leeds are 1/5 to get the better of Hull KR at Headingley on Friday night and the Rhinos should be able to kick off the new campaign with a win against the Robins. The New Craven Park side have made a few changes to their squad after narrowly securing a spot in the play-offs last time out and Hull KR do tend to raise their game when they face the Rhinos, but taking anything at Leeds will be a tough task. In the half time/full time market a Leeds/Leeds result pays out at 2/5 and a Leeds Try (Inc. Penalty Try) is 4/6 to be the first scoring play of the contest – both of which are certainly worth some consideration ahead of Friday’s showdown.

Friday’s other tie between the Vikings and the Wildcats is harder to call.  Both sides have made a massive amount of changes to their playing staff ahead of the new campaign and as such both Widnes and Wakefield are essentially unknown quantities at this point. However, on paper Widnes have arguably made the better signings and the Vikings will also be buoyed by the support of the home faithful, who are of course delighted to see their side back amongst Rugby League’s elite.

Widnes also have an artificial pitch, it remains to be seen whether that will have any bearing on their home form but there is every chance it could do. Although the tie appears difficult to call a Widnes victory at 4/6 could well be the best bet in this fixture, Wakefield are 6/5 and the draw is priced at 20/1. In the handicap market Widnes are 10/11 to secure the win with a -2 handicap, and there is every chance the Vikings could put on a stellar display in front of their home crowd on their return to the Super League.

On Saturday St Helens travel to London Broncos in what could well be a very one sided contest. Saints will still be hurting after their Grand Final defeat at the close of the previous campaign, their fifth Old Trafford defeat in a row, and will be eager to start the new campaign strongly. Saints are 2/9 in the standard 80 minute match betting market, but punters may wish to consider the 10/11 on offer for a Saints win with a -12 handicap.

Castleford narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last season despite their blistering start to the campaign. The Tigers travel to Salford for their season opener and the Yorkshire side should be strong enough to secure the victory. Castleford have managed to secure a few new faces but their real coup in the close season was retaining the services of star stand-off Rangi Chase, winner of last season’s man of steel award. The visitors can be backed at 11/10 to secure the victory, Salford are priced at 8/11 and the draw is available at 18/1.