After mixed performances for the top sides in the previous round, round twelve
gives the losing sides the chance to bounce back while the others can pull clear
at the top.
The first example will come tonight as Castleford host table toppers Leeds in a battle of third against first with Leeds looking to go three points clear at the top of the table while Castleford will look to keep up their fine home form.
Leeds will be favourites but Castleford are dangerous at home with only one defeat at the Jungle, a late loss to St Helens and will be eager to bounce back from the narrow defeat to Huddersfield last week.
The visitors come into the game confident after a comfortable win over Wigan in the first part of a double this month with the two meeting at Magic next weekend and will be eager to go into the game with a five game winning run if they can overcome Castleford.
Both sides have been in strong form this season and this game could further Castleford's hopes of a top eight finish having done well against the top sides this season with wins over Wigan and Warrington while Leeds's defence may prove to be a main factor with only 94 points conceded in 11 games.
Castleford bring in ex-Leeds players Jordan Tansey and Ashley Gibson in place of James Clare and Richard Owen while Leeds are unchanged from the round eleven win over Wigan.
Castleford- Tansey, Dixon, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Sneyd, Lynch, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Clark, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Gibson, Channing, Finn.
Leeds-Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.
Leeds surprised me when I predicted a loss so this time I see them winning but hopefully not comfortably so Castleford 18 Leeds 26.
Friday night sees three games with the standout tie being a repeat of the 2013 Challenge Cup Final as Wigan make the long trip up to face Hull with Both sides looking to bounce back from defeats to Leeds and Wakefield respectively.
The last meeting between the sides saw Hull edge a win at the DW stadium with both fielding youthful sides the week after meeting in the Challenge Cup final in August which Wigan had won 16-0.
Tomorrow could see a similar score to the league meeting with both sides having long injury lists meaning neither has been able to post a strong squad and will surely make for a close game at the KC.
Wigan were in red-hot form before the defeat to Leeds but the run came with the cost of several injuries which this week has included Liam Farrell, Matty Bowen and Ryan Hampshire leaving no recognised fullbacks available with Dan Sarginson and Anthony Gelling the favourites to deputise.
Former Warrior Chris Tuson misses out for Hull while Dean Hadley and Jordan Rankin drop out of the squad to allow Richard Horne and Richard Whiting to be recalled with Liam Colbon and Liam Watts also likely to feature.
Hull will be wary of a mixed Wigan lineup as the 'kids' have performed well when they have come into the side and Wigan are unbeaten at the KC since 2009 so will be confident of a win ahead of the Magic showpiece.
Hull: Bowden, Carvell, Crookes, Crooks, Colbon, Ellis, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Wigan: Bateman, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, C. Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, James, Manfredi, McIlorum, S. Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Sutton, Taylor, Williams.
This could be a close game due to the depleted teams and the poor weather conditions but I think Wigan will come out on top so Hull 18 Wigan 24.
Warrington will look to bounce back from a shock loss away to Bradford when the host the in-from Catalan who will hope to end a run of four losses to the Wolves.
After a dreadful start to the season, Catalan have bounced back amazingly and go into the game with the same record as their hosts after winning five out of eleven this season including the current run of four in a row while Warrington have lost three of the last five and are a shadow of the form that saw them finish second in 2013.
Catalan have been strongest at home this season but have been average away from Perpignan with only one win which came against London in round nine and exited the cup away to Bradford in round five so a travelling victory surely is due for the Dragons.
Warrington include Stefan Ratchford who returns from injury with Gene Ormsby also returning in place of Kevin Penny and Glenn Riley while Catalan bring in Jeff Lima in place of Olivier Elima.
Warrington - Asotasi, Atkins, C. Bridge, D. Bridge, Currie, England, B. Evans, R. Evans, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Russell, Waterhouse.
Catalan- Escare, Pryce, Pomeroy, Oldfield, Lima, Taia, Anderson, Barthau, Maria, Pelissier, Millard, Pala, Simon, Bousquet, Paea, Baitieri, Duport, Garcia, Guasch.
This could be a close game with the weather a contributing factor so Warrington 28 Catalan 22.
Tomorrow's third game sees a revitalised Wakefield travel to face Widnes with both sides in mixed form but with wins in the previous round over Hull and Hull KR respectively.
Wakefield ended a long losing streak with a comeback win against Hull coming from 16-0 down to secure a 16-23 win and as a result will be in a confident mood as they look to continue a perfect streak against Widnes with four wins in a row in the Super League against the Vikings.
Widnes will be keen to end that streak with a first ever league win over the Wildcats and have their best chance yet with a great first half of the season with seven wins which sees them sit fifth in the table and includes strong wins over Huddersfield and St Helens.
Wakefield recall Andy Raleigh to their 19 while Widnes include Declan Hulme in place of the injured Rhys Hanbury meaning Jack Owens may deputise at fullback.
Widnes - Allen, Brown, Clough, Clarke, Craven, Dean, Flynn, Gerrard, Hulme, Isa, Johnson, Kavanagh, Lawton, Leuluai, Marsh, Owens, Phelps, Tickle, White.
Wakefield - Mathers, Fairbank, Riley, Walshaw, Sykes, Godinet, Anderson, McShane, Raleigh, Kirmond, Washbrook, Ryan, Annakin, Smith, Moore, Siejka, Sammut, Scruton, Molloy.
Aside from the weather, Widnes' home form could be a deciding factor here so Widnes 32 Wakefield 20.
Two games take place on Saturday beginning with Huddersfield making the long trip own to London with the Broncos desperate for a win to end their 100% losing run in 2014.
London performed well at St Helens in the previous round and were found out by a strong side but may look to spring a surprise against a Huddersfield side who are a shadow of the table topping side from 2013 with only five wins from a possible eleven.
Huddersfield have stuttered on their travels in 2014 with notable defeats at Hull and Catalan and if London show the play they did in stages at both Wigan and St Helens, they have a the chance to get a first win and move away from the bottom of the league where they now sit after Bradford's win over Warrington.
Should London lose for a 12th time this season, the prospect of relegation will surely be something on the minds of both the club and the fans and with Huddersfield on a run of three wins, it will take a big performance from London to prevent it becoming four.
This could be a game of surprises but I will go for Huddersfield based on form so London 16 Huddersfield 30
Saturday's evening game sees Salford hosting Hull KR with both sides desperate for a win to end their losing runs.
Salford have only one win in five and sit eleventh in the table, a far cry from the pre-season hopes of the top eight and go into the game a place behind the Rovers who themselves three wins from the last five after a bad start to the season.
Rovers will be eager to end the losing run ahead of the Hull derby at Magic against a Salford side who have been distinctly average since Iestyn Harris took charge of the team and are the third lowest scorers in the table while also posting the fifth worst defence.
This one could go either way but Hull KR despite their losses have been in good form overall and are my tip so Salford 18 Hull KR 28.
The final game of the weekend takes place on Sunday with St Helens travelling up to face Bradford in a match that ten years ago would have been a battle at the top of the league between regular Grand Final foes but due to Bradford's demise, the sides are at opposite ends of the table.
Bradford moved off the bottom with a famous win over Warrington in the previous round and will be eager to make it two in a row with the return of Foster to the side being a massive plus for the Bulls who have one only one of the last five meetings between the sides.
St Helens will be wary of a confident and revitalised Bradford as they look to add to their win over London after a run of two defeats in four saw them fall off the top of the table and with Warrington ahead at Magic, a win will boost their confidence while maybe closing the gap at the top.
This could be a strange one as Bradford were amazing against Warrington and Saints were not in full flow against London so I will gamble here and say Bradford 23 St Helens 22.
The first example will come tonight as Castleford host table toppers Leeds in a battle of third against first with Leeds looking to go three points clear at the top of the table while Castleford will look to keep up their fine home form.
Leeds will be favourites but Castleford are dangerous at home with only one defeat at the Jungle, a late loss to St Helens and will be eager to bounce back from the narrow defeat to Huddersfield last week.
The visitors come into the game confident after a comfortable win over Wigan in the first part of a double this month with the two meeting at Magic next weekend and will be eager to go into the game with a five game winning run if they can overcome Castleford.
Both sides have been in strong form this season and this game could further Castleford's hopes of a top eight finish having done well against the top sides this season with wins over Wigan and Warrington while Leeds's defence may prove to be a main factor with only 94 points conceded in 11 games.
Castleford bring in ex-Leeds players Jordan Tansey and Ashley Gibson in place of James Clare and Richard Owen while Leeds are unchanged from the round eleven win over Wigan.
Castleford- Tansey, Dixon, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Sneyd, Lynch, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Clark, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Gibson, Channing, Finn.
Leeds-Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.
Leeds surprised me when I predicted a loss so this time I see them winning but hopefully not comfortably so Castleford 18 Leeds 26.
Friday night sees three games with the standout tie being a repeat of the 2013 Challenge Cup Final as Wigan make the long trip up to face Hull with Both sides looking to bounce back from defeats to Leeds and Wakefield respectively.
The last meeting between the sides saw Hull edge a win at the DW stadium with both fielding youthful sides the week after meeting in the Challenge Cup final in August which Wigan had won 16-0.
Tomorrow could see a similar score to the league meeting with both sides having long injury lists meaning neither has been able to post a strong squad and will surely make for a close game at the KC.
Wigan were in red-hot form before the defeat to Leeds but the run came with the cost of several injuries which this week has included Liam Farrell, Matty Bowen and Ryan Hampshire leaving no recognised fullbacks available with Dan Sarginson and Anthony Gelling the favourites to deputise.
Former Warrior Chris Tuson misses out for Hull while Dean Hadley and Jordan Rankin drop out of the squad to allow Richard Horne and Richard Whiting to be recalled with Liam Colbon and Liam Watts also likely to feature.
Hull will be wary of a mixed Wigan lineup as the 'kids' have performed well when they have come into the side and Wigan are unbeaten at the KC since 2009 so will be confident of a win ahead of the Magic showpiece.
Hull: Bowden, Carvell, Crookes, Crooks, Colbon, Ellis, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Wigan: Bateman, Burgess, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, C. Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hughes, James, Manfredi, McIlorum, S. Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Sutton, Taylor, Williams.
This could be a close game due to the depleted teams and the poor weather conditions but I think Wigan will come out on top so Hull 18 Wigan 24.
Warrington will look to bounce back from a shock loss away to Bradford when the host the in-from Catalan who will hope to end a run of four losses to the Wolves.
After a dreadful start to the season, Catalan have bounced back amazingly and go into the game with the same record as their hosts after winning five out of eleven this season including the current run of four in a row while Warrington have lost three of the last five and are a shadow of the form that saw them finish second in 2013.
Catalan have been strongest at home this season but have been average away from Perpignan with only one win which came against London in round nine and exited the cup away to Bradford in round five so a travelling victory surely is due for the Dragons.
Warrington include Stefan Ratchford who returns from injury with Gene Ormsby also returning in place of Kevin Penny and Glenn Riley while Catalan bring in Jeff Lima in place of Olivier Elima.
Warrington - Asotasi, Atkins, C. Bridge, D. Bridge, Currie, England, B. Evans, R. Evans, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Russell, Waterhouse.
Catalan- Escare, Pryce, Pomeroy, Oldfield, Lima, Taia, Anderson, Barthau, Maria, Pelissier, Millard, Pala, Simon, Bousquet, Paea, Baitieri, Duport, Garcia, Guasch.
This could be a close game with the weather a contributing factor so Warrington 28 Catalan 22.
Tomorrow's third game sees a revitalised Wakefield travel to face Widnes with both sides in mixed form but with wins in the previous round over Hull and Hull KR respectively.
Wakefield ended a long losing streak with a comeback win against Hull coming from 16-0 down to secure a 16-23 win and as a result will be in a confident mood as they look to continue a perfect streak against Widnes with four wins in a row in the Super League against the Vikings.
Widnes will be keen to end that streak with a first ever league win over the Wildcats and have their best chance yet with a great first half of the season with seven wins which sees them sit fifth in the table and includes strong wins over Huddersfield and St Helens.
Wakefield recall Andy Raleigh to their 19 while Widnes include Declan Hulme in place of the injured Rhys Hanbury meaning Jack Owens may deputise at fullback.
Widnes - Allen, Brown, Clough, Clarke, Craven, Dean, Flynn, Gerrard, Hulme, Isa, Johnson, Kavanagh, Lawton, Leuluai, Marsh, Owens, Phelps, Tickle, White.
Wakefield - Mathers, Fairbank, Riley, Walshaw, Sykes, Godinet, Anderson, McShane, Raleigh, Kirmond, Washbrook, Ryan, Annakin, Smith, Moore, Siejka, Sammut, Scruton, Molloy.
Aside from the weather, Widnes' home form could be a deciding factor here so Widnes 32 Wakefield 20.
Two games take place on Saturday beginning with Huddersfield making the long trip own to London with the Broncos desperate for a win to end their 100% losing run in 2014.
London performed well at St Helens in the previous round and were found out by a strong side but may look to spring a surprise against a Huddersfield side who are a shadow of the table topping side from 2013 with only five wins from a possible eleven.
Huddersfield have stuttered on their travels in 2014 with notable defeats at Hull and Catalan and if London show the play they did in stages at both Wigan and St Helens, they have a the chance to get a first win and move away from the bottom of the league where they now sit after Bradford's win over Warrington.
Should London lose for a 12th time this season, the prospect of relegation will surely be something on the minds of both the club and the fans and with Huddersfield on a run of three wins, it will take a big performance from London to prevent it becoming four.
This could be a game of surprises but I will go for Huddersfield based on form so London 16 Huddersfield 30
Saturday's evening game sees Salford hosting Hull KR with both sides desperate for a win to end their losing runs.
Salford have only one win in five and sit eleventh in the table, a far cry from the pre-season hopes of the top eight and go into the game a place behind the Rovers who themselves three wins from the last five after a bad start to the season.
Rovers will be eager to end the losing run ahead of the Hull derby at Magic against a Salford side who have been distinctly average since Iestyn Harris took charge of the team and are the third lowest scorers in the table while also posting the fifth worst defence.
This one could go either way but Hull KR despite their losses have been in good form overall and are my tip so Salford 18 Hull KR 28.
The final game of the weekend takes place on Sunday with St Helens travelling up to face Bradford in a match that ten years ago would have been a battle at the top of the league between regular Grand Final foes but due to Bradford's demise, the sides are at opposite ends of the table.
Bradford moved off the bottom with a famous win over Warrington in the previous round and will be eager to make it two in a row with the return of Foster to the side being a massive plus for the Bulls who have one only one of the last five meetings between the sides.
St Helens will be wary of a confident and revitalised Bradford as they look to add to their win over London after a run of two defeats in four saw them fall off the top of the table and with Warrington ahead at Magic, a win will boost their confidence while maybe closing the gap at the top.
This could be a strange one as Bradford were amazing against Warrington and Saints were not in full flow against London so I will gamble here and say Bradford 23 St Helens 22.
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