After a break for the Challenge Cup fifth round, Super League returns for round eleven with a four day schedule.
Thursday night sees St Helens host London which on paper may seen like a huge mismatch but ironically a year ago this week, London stunned Saints winning 21-14 at The Stoop and with their form just as bad this year, lightning could strike twice and hand the hosts a third league loss in a row.
It is hard to believe that St Helens still remain on eight wins after their 100% record evaporated with losses to Wigan and Widnes and what could look like an easy win on paper may give an advantage to London with Saints' confidence being low after their Cup exit to Leeds on Saturday.
London despite not having won yet have shown in recent weeks that the illusive first win surely cannot be far away with a brilliant first half against Wigan and a good performance in the previous round against Catalan, only losing by a single score.
St Helens welcome back Lance Hohaia in place of the injured Jordan Turner who joins a list featuring Kyle Amor, Willie Manu and Anthony Laffranchi while Mark Flanagan, Anthony Walker, Andre Savelio and Carl Forster, who spent a month on loan to London earlier this year are all called up to the 19.
London will give James Cunningham a first start at hooker due to Scott Moore's suspension while Jordan Atkins comes in with Joel Wicks replacing the injured Nesi Mataitonga in the 19.
St Helens - Lomax, Makinson, Jones, Swift, Hohaia, Walsh, Masoe, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Wilkin, Flanagan, Walmsley, Percival, Greenwood, Walker, Thompson, Forster, Savelio.
London Broncos - Atkins, Bishay, Caton-Brown, Cook, Cunningham, Drinkwater, Farrar, Foster, Greenwood, Krasniqi, Macani, McMeeken, Minns, Slyney, Solomona, Vea, Wallace, Wicks, Woodburn-Hall.
This could be close but also could be a one-sided game but I think the former and will gamble with Saints 30 London 18.
Friday night for a change sees only one game but a huge one all the same as champions Wigan make the trip up to face league leaders Leeds with both in red-hot form since mixed starts.
Leeds will be favourites due to their league position but this means nothing when its Wigan as the visitors as the Warriors do have a habit of shining when written off as both St Helens and Warrington have found out this season with Wigan aiming for a trio of away wins against their three main rivals.
Wigan have done well to bounce back from a congested start due their participation in the World Club Challenge which has seen them win eight games in a row including the two above away trips to fierce rivals and despite a number of injuries will be strong and bidding for the win.
Leeds v Wigan is always a tasty game but for the hosts there is the chance to repeat last season's 18-14 win which became the first part of a league double over Wigan and also gain revenge for the season ending play-off defeat the saw Wigan go on to become champions.
The Rhinos welcome back Ryan Bailey, Ben Jones-Bishop and Stevie Ward while Rob Burrow misses out after suffering a broken collar bone in the win over St Helens while Wigan recall Darrell Goulding, Blake Green, Michael McIlorum and Sean O'Loughlin with Gil Dudson returning from suspension. Iain Thornley, Ben Flower, Eddy Pettybourne and Josh Charnley all miss out through injury for the Warriors.
Leeds Rhinos - Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.
Wigan Warriors -Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, L. Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, James, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, S. Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Taylor, Williams.
This is a huge test for both sides but I think Wigan having an 'easier' weekend in the Cup could be the swaying factor so Leeds 24 Wigan 30
Saturday's game sees Catalan host Salford with the Dragons looking to bounce back from their Cup exit to Bradford while Salford look for a second win in four games.
Despite only taking charge of Salford recently, Iestyn Harris is under a bit of pressure to get them back to winning ways and the long trip to Catalan may not be the best way to begin but the Dragons home form aside, they were opened up easily by Bradford so Salford could use that to their advantage along with the extra week's preparation due to exiting the Cup early.
Catalan are on a three game winning run in the league and will be eager to add another victim to their list on what could be a scorching afternoon in Perpignan, something that has helped them to numerous wins in the past and could be a major factor this weekend.
Both sides will be eager to win but the home advantage for Catalan sways the towards them so Catalan 25 Salford 12.
After an humiliating 84-6 defeat to Wigan in the previous round, Bradford could be forgiven for fearing a repeat when Warrington visit on Sunday but a superb Cup win over Catalan has given them confidence to finally get away from their negative points tally.
Despite being bottom on -2, Bradford have two wins this season but sadly are on a seven game losing run and with the visit of St Helens next week, a win would be very welcome against a Warrington side that are hard to call this year with five defeats from ten games -only one short of last years entire campaign.
Both sides will be buoyed by their Cup victories that ironically saw them paired together in the last eight so this game could serve as a benchmark for next months tie while also giving both a boost to their mixed starts to the season.
Alike the Saints/London game, this could see a surprise but I feel Warrington will come out on top so Bradford 12 Warrington 36
When Huddersfield v Castleford came out of the fixture computer, no one could have foreseen that it would the visitors in the better form when the meeting came around but that is the situation as the Giants sit in seventh and the Tigers flying high in second.
2013 League Leaders have spiralled since their opening day win against Wigan with only three wins from nine games and also suffered an early exit from the Challenge cup at hands of St Helens. Their flagging run included heavy losses to Widnes and Hull but a perfect Easter saw them bounce back and give them some much needed confidence ahead of what will be a tough test against strong Castleford side.
Castleford sit second with eight wins from ten and after a comfortable win against Sheffield in the Cup, set up a trip to holders Wigan in the last eight so are brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday's trip and depending on other results could go top of the table with a win.
This has the makings of a good game but I think Castleford will continue their good form with a win so Huddersfield 18 Castleford 33.
The meeting between Hull FC and Wakefield sees both sides return to action after a week off due to their early exits from the Challenge Cup so both will be fresh and eager to win to move up the table.
Hull have had a decent start to the season with five wins from ten and could break into the top five with a second consecutive win and surprised many critics with a crushing 30-6 win in round eight against Huddersfield so are a team to be wary of at the KC stadium.
Wakefield are on a run of five consecutive defeats and desperately in need of a win in to avoid being left behind in the bottom three, they showed promise in the previous round against Huddersfield but a win is a must to kick-start their season and could spring a surprise on Sunday.
The result will depend on which Wakefield side turn up as if they play as well as earlier in the season they could claim a win so I will go for a close one - Hull 24 Wakefield 20.
Last but certainly not least is Widnes' trip up to face Hull KR with both sides having good starts to the season and sitting in ninth and fifth respectively.
Hull KR go into the game with four wins from the last five after a defeat to Catalan in round ten and will be eager to bounce back with the form of Omari Caro a highlight this season with the Centre scoring eight times including two in the previous round.
Widnes have been a surprise package this season with wins against Huddersfield and St Helens standing out above the rest while they reached the last eight of the Challenge Cup with a win over Salford last week and are buoyed by the try scoring form of Kevin Brown and Rhys Hanbury with the latter crossing twice in the win over St Helens in round ten.
This game could go either way with both sides in good form but I think Widnes may edge a win so Hull KR 24 Widnes 25
Thursday night sees St Helens host London which on paper may seen like a huge mismatch but ironically a year ago this week, London stunned Saints winning 21-14 at The Stoop and with their form just as bad this year, lightning could strike twice and hand the hosts a third league loss in a row.
It is hard to believe that St Helens still remain on eight wins after their 100% record evaporated with losses to Wigan and Widnes and what could look like an easy win on paper may give an advantage to London with Saints' confidence being low after their Cup exit to Leeds on Saturday.
London despite not having won yet have shown in recent weeks that the illusive first win surely cannot be far away with a brilliant first half against Wigan and a good performance in the previous round against Catalan, only losing by a single score.
St Helens welcome back Lance Hohaia in place of the injured Jordan Turner who joins a list featuring Kyle Amor, Willie Manu and Anthony Laffranchi while Mark Flanagan, Anthony Walker, Andre Savelio and Carl Forster, who spent a month on loan to London earlier this year are all called up to the 19.
London will give James Cunningham a first start at hooker due to Scott Moore's suspension while Jordan Atkins comes in with Joel Wicks replacing the injured Nesi Mataitonga in the 19.
St Helens - Lomax, Makinson, Jones, Swift, Hohaia, Walsh, Masoe, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Wilkin, Flanagan, Walmsley, Percival, Greenwood, Walker, Thompson, Forster, Savelio.
London Broncos - Atkins, Bishay, Caton-Brown, Cook, Cunningham, Drinkwater, Farrar, Foster, Greenwood, Krasniqi, Macani, McMeeken, Minns, Slyney, Solomona, Vea, Wallace, Wicks, Woodburn-Hall.
This could be close but also could be a one-sided game but I think the former and will gamble with Saints 30 London 18.
Friday night for a change sees only one game but a huge one all the same as champions Wigan make the trip up to face league leaders Leeds with both in red-hot form since mixed starts.
Leeds will be favourites due to their league position but this means nothing when its Wigan as the visitors as the Warriors do have a habit of shining when written off as both St Helens and Warrington have found out this season with Wigan aiming for a trio of away wins against their three main rivals.
Wigan have done well to bounce back from a congested start due their participation in the World Club Challenge which has seen them win eight games in a row including the two above away trips to fierce rivals and despite a number of injuries will be strong and bidding for the win.
Leeds v Wigan is always a tasty game but for the hosts there is the chance to repeat last season's 18-14 win which became the first part of a league double over Wigan and also gain revenge for the season ending play-off defeat the saw Wigan go on to become champions.
The Rhinos welcome back Ryan Bailey, Ben Jones-Bishop and Stevie Ward while Rob Burrow misses out after suffering a broken collar bone in the win over St Helens while Wigan recall Darrell Goulding, Blake Green, Michael McIlorum and Sean O'Loughlin with Gil Dudson returning from suspension. Iain Thornley, Ben Flower, Eddy Pettybourne and Josh Charnley all miss out through injury for the Warriors.
Leeds Rhinos - Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.
Wigan Warriors -Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, L. Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, James, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, S. Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Taylor, Williams.
This is a huge test for both sides but I think Wigan having an 'easier' weekend in the Cup could be the swaying factor so Leeds 24 Wigan 30
Saturday's game sees Catalan host Salford with the Dragons looking to bounce back from their Cup exit to Bradford while Salford look for a second win in four games.
Despite only taking charge of Salford recently, Iestyn Harris is under a bit of pressure to get them back to winning ways and the long trip to Catalan may not be the best way to begin but the Dragons home form aside, they were opened up easily by Bradford so Salford could use that to their advantage along with the extra week's preparation due to exiting the Cup early.
Catalan are on a three game winning run in the league and will be eager to add another victim to their list on what could be a scorching afternoon in Perpignan, something that has helped them to numerous wins in the past and could be a major factor this weekend.
Both sides will be eager to win but the home advantage for Catalan sways the towards them so Catalan 25 Salford 12.
After an humiliating 84-6 defeat to Wigan in the previous round, Bradford could be forgiven for fearing a repeat when Warrington visit on Sunday but a superb Cup win over Catalan has given them confidence to finally get away from their negative points tally.
Despite being bottom on -2, Bradford have two wins this season but sadly are on a seven game losing run and with the visit of St Helens next week, a win would be very welcome against a Warrington side that are hard to call this year with five defeats from ten games -only one short of last years entire campaign.
Both sides will be buoyed by their Cup victories that ironically saw them paired together in the last eight so this game could serve as a benchmark for next months tie while also giving both a boost to their mixed starts to the season.
Alike the Saints/London game, this could see a surprise but I feel Warrington will come out on top so Bradford 12 Warrington 36
When Huddersfield v Castleford came out of the fixture computer, no one could have foreseen that it would the visitors in the better form when the meeting came around but that is the situation as the Giants sit in seventh and the Tigers flying high in second.
2013 League Leaders have spiralled since their opening day win against Wigan with only three wins from nine games and also suffered an early exit from the Challenge cup at hands of St Helens. Their flagging run included heavy losses to Widnes and Hull but a perfect Easter saw them bounce back and give them some much needed confidence ahead of what will be a tough test against strong Castleford side.
Castleford sit second with eight wins from ten and after a comfortable win against Sheffield in the Cup, set up a trip to holders Wigan in the last eight so are brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday's trip and depending on other results could go top of the table with a win.
This has the makings of a good game but I think Castleford will continue their good form with a win so Huddersfield 18 Castleford 33.
The meeting between Hull FC and Wakefield sees both sides return to action after a week off due to their early exits from the Challenge Cup so both will be fresh and eager to win to move up the table.
Hull have had a decent start to the season with five wins from ten and could break into the top five with a second consecutive win and surprised many critics with a crushing 30-6 win in round eight against Huddersfield so are a team to be wary of at the KC stadium.
Wakefield are on a run of five consecutive defeats and desperately in need of a win in to avoid being left behind in the bottom three, they showed promise in the previous round against Huddersfield but a win is a must to kick-start their season and could spring a surprise on Sunday.
The result will depend on which Wakefield side turn up as if they play as well as earlier in the season they could claim a win so I will go for a close one - Hull 24 Wakefield 20.
Last but certainly not least is Widnes' trip up to face Hull KR with both sides having good starts to the season and sitting in ninth and fifth respectively.
Hull KR go into the game with four wins from the last five after a defeat to Catalan in round ten and will be eager to bounce back with the form of Omari Caro a highlight this season with the Centre scoring eight times including two in the previous round.
Widnes have been a surprise package this season with wins against Huddersfield and St Helens standing out above the rest while they reached the last eight of the Challenge Cup with a win over Salford last week and are buoyed by the try scoring form of Kevin Brown and Rhys Hanbury with the latter crossing twice in the win over St Helens in round ten.
This game could go either way with both sides in good form but I think Widnes may edge a win so Hull KR 24 Widnes 25
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