Super League Preview: London v Bradford

London coach Tony Rea has recalled five players who sat out Monday’s defeat to Warrington for the game against Bradford on Saturday.

For the second home game in succession, the Broncos are on the road, this time at Wycombe’s Adams Park.

Chris Bailey, Mark Bryant, Tony Clubb, Shane Rodney and Craig Gower all return to action, while Erjon Dollapi retains his place having made a try scoring debut in Monday’s game.

Bradford are without Jamie Foster and John Bateman through injury, but Luke Gale and Ben Evans come into the side for the first time this season.

Coach Francis Cummins said: “I looked at their team and it looks like they rested a few players. They had a real dig at Catalan and they have probably thought it would be tough at Warrington so it looks like they prioritised and they are going to have a real go at us this week.  

“That’s a challenge for us because they may be a bit fresher but we want to win because Easter doesn’t finish for us until after Saturday’s game and then we have a massive eight day turnaround before our next game!”

London 19-man squad: Bailey, Bryant, Channing, Clubb, Colbon, Cook, Dixon, Dollapi, Gower, Hurst, Kaufusi, Lee, McMeeken, Melling, Randall, Rodney, Sarginson, Wheeldon, Witt.

Bradford 19-man squad: Donaldson, Sidlow, Langley, Manuokafoa, Gale, Kearney, Scruton, L’Estrange, Purtell, Lulia, Whitehead, Kear, Sammut, Addy, Olbison, Walker, Evans, O’Brien, Diskin.

Prediction: London will have targeted this game after the Easter programme, but even keeping their strike players fresh may not be enough – away win.

Stats:

Bradford have won their last four meetings with London Broncos/Harlequins, with the capital side’s last victory against the Bulls coming 35-18 (as Harlequins) on 9 July, 2010 at the Twickenham Stoop.

The capital side’s last win over Bradford as London Broncos was 22-12 at Odsal on 1 June, 2003.

The Bulls won eight consecutive meetings between the sides following that game until the Broncos’ rebranding as Harlequins in 2006, to go with two victories in 2012.

The last London Broncos home win against Bradford was 15-14 at Griffin Park, Brentford, on 7 April, 2002.

Super League summary:

London Broncos won 9
Bradford won 30 (includes win in 2005 play-offs)
1 draw
London Broncos highest score: 36-24 (H, 2008) (Widest margin: 34-8, H, 1998)
Bradford highest score: 74-12 (H, 1999) (also widest margin)