On the day that a new WCC series has been announced, it feels strange to be previewing the penultimate round of the 2014 Super League given that this year's WCC doesn't feel that long ago despite taking place back in February.
This weekend's seven games feature three that took place in May's Magic Weekend programme and the excitement of the season continues with the League Leaders Shield, the top four and top eight still unconfirmed.
Tonight sees a huge clash at Langtree Park between St Helens and Warrington with the Saints knowing a win will see them claim the League Leaders Shield for the first time since 2008.
The current table toppers go into the tie on the back of a narrow win over Leeds which was their fourth win in their last five games and with only Castleford able to prevent them topping the end of season standings the LLS does seem bound for a return to St Helens.
Warrington's recent form is mixed with just two wins and a draw from their last five games including a draw against Huddersfield in the previous round but with second to sixth separated by just a single point, the pressure is on especially with a tough trip to Wigan awaiting them next week.
Last season's meeting at Langtree Park saw the Wolves seal a 29-16 win as one of two wins from three which saw a 48-22 win at the Magic Weekend but this season's reverse meeting saw St Helens claim a 38-8 win before suffering a 41-24 loss at the Magic Weekend so a league double is still on the cards.
Saints are without Mark Percival due to concussion with Gary Wheeler included in the 19-man squad while Warrington include Roy Asotasi in place of Anthony England.
St Helens: Makinson, Turner, Jones, Swift, Hohaia, Masoe, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Manu, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Amor, Wellens, Walmsley, Wheeler, Dawson, Richards, McDonnell.
Warrington Wolves: Asotasi, Atkins, Currie, R. Evans, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Myler, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Russell, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood.
This will be a really close game but I think St Helens will edge a win so St Helens 24 Warrington 22.
Strangely, there is only one Friday night game but what a huge game it is as Wigan host Leeds in a battle between the reigning Super League and Challenge Cup winners.
Wigan go into the game with just two wins in their last four games after a 24-10 loss against Widnes in the previous round and with Warrington visiting the DW Stadium next week, the Warriors need a huge switch in form if they are to retain their Super League title.
Leeds may have won the Challenge Cup a fortnight ago but their league form is woeful with three successive losses forming a run of just one win in their last five games. The Rhinos sit sixth but know a win could see them go second in the table.
Last season's league meeting at the DW saw Leeds secure a 20-6 win in the final round of the regular season but the Warriors bounced back with a 22-12 win in the play-offs on their way to winning the Grand Final. This season's reverse meeting saw Leeds triumph 28-12 at Headingley but that was followed by a 18-14 loss two weeks later at the Magic Weekend so the Rhinos are on course to secure a league double over the Warriors.
Wigan include Liam Farrell after he was found not guilty of a Grade B offence against Widnes but Iain Thornley misses out after suffering an injury in training with Matt Bowen returning alongside Ben Flower who replaces Scott Taylor. Leeds are without the suspended Joel Moon who is replaced by Jimmy Keinhorst.
Wigan Warriors: Bateman, Bowen, Charnley, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Green, Hughes, Manfredi, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, Pettybourne, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, J Tomkins.
Leeds Rhinos : Hardaker, Watkins, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Achurch, T Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Keinhorst.
This will be a really close game but I see Wigan bouncing back and edging a win so Wigan 22 Leeds 18.
The remaining five games of the round all take place on Sunday with the fight for eight place making Catalan's trip to face Hull KR an important one with the Dragons still not safe with just a four point lead over the Robins.
Hull KR go into the game on the back of a humiliating 28-0 defeat in the Hull derby and with just one win in their last five games, a win is desperately needed to have any chance of ending the season on a high and end the worst outcome of finishing 12th.
Catalan make the long trip to Yorkshire on the back of a comfortable win over London but the victory was only their second in five games which has seen them slip from challenging for a place in the top six to the prospect of slipping out of the top eight.
Last season's meeting at Craven Park saw the Dragons secure a 32-24 victory with the reverse meeting earlier this season resulting in a similar outcome as they triumphed 37-24 and the omens are in their favour having won four of the last five meetings including the last three at Craven Park.
Catalan have been poor on their travels this season and I see this continuing so Hull KR 28 Catalan 20.
Aside from the aforementioned duo, Widnes are the only other side in contention for the top eight and they will look to further their push when they travel to face relegated Bradford.
The Bulls have done well since the relegation was confirmed and have won three of their last five games which will serve them well in preparation for next season's Championship campaign and a win would see them reach eight for the season just one shy of Hull and Salford.
Widnes have a strange recent run of form with three wins in their last five game but with the two losses in games two and four meaning the run of form would suggest a loss on Sunday something that could dent what has been a good season for the Vikings made better with a win over Wigan in the previous round.
Last season's meeting at Odsal saw the Vikings claim a 32-28 win with this season's reverse meeting seeing them edge a tight game with a 22-18 win which puts them on course for a league double over the Bulls.
After watching Widnes first hand last week, I see them coming out on top on Sunday so Bradford 16 Widnes 28.
The unpredictability at the top recently has seen Huddersfield go sitting adrift in sixth to sit fourth and just one point off second place as they welcome Hull FC to the John Smith's Stadium.
Huddersfield have taken advantage of their rivals problems with four wins and a draw in their last five games including salvaging a last-gasp point at Warrington having blown a 23-6 lead to go on to draw 24-24. The Giants know that a retention of the League Leaders Shield is now impossible but to finish first and second in adjoining seasons would be a success.
Hull FC travel across Yorkshire in mixed form as despite cruising to a 38-0 derby win, the victory was only their second in their last five games and with the hopes of a top eight finish now over, there is just the league placings to play for for the Airlie Birds.
Last season's league meeting in Huddersfield saw the Giants secure a 24-10 victory before demolishing the visitors 76-18 in the end of season play-offs a result that ended Peter Gentle tenure at the KC Stadium.
This one I see being a comfortable night for the Giants so Huddersfield 36 Hull 20.
A local Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield could be the most important between the sides for a long time given that both still have a lot to play for this season.
Castleford bounced back from defeat at Wembley to secure a win over Bradford which was their second win in their last five games which have also seen two draws as they continue what has been a superb season in comparison to the struggles of 2013.
Wakefield make the short trip across town in mixed form with two wins in their last five games but with the chance to reach the top eight and end of season play-offs still alight, they will be keen to boost their hopes while at the same time denting their neighbours chances of a top four finish.
Last season's meeting at the Jungle saw Wakefield secure a 37-16 win in a match abandoned after 73 minutes due to a fire scare but the Tigers secured a 49-24 win at the Magic Weekend and replicated that form in this season's reverse meeting with a 43-20 win before securing a 50-12 win at the Magic Weekend.
This will be a cracker of a derby but I see the Tigers sealing a win so Castleford 30 Wakefield 22.
The final game of the round is the only one where neither side can affect the top eight places as Salford host relegated London.
Salford after being tipped by some as favourites to win the title this year go into the game with just two wins from their last five games and as a result their only success this season would be finishing ninth the Red Devils currently six points away from the hallowed top eight.
London know that they will end the season bottom of the league and with a maximum of three wins having won just once in their last five games, with the victory over Leeds their only positive result this season ans they come off the back of a heavy loss to Catalan in the previous round.
Last season's meeting in Salford saw London seal a 38-4 win one which they would love to repeat but they will hope to avoid a repeat of this season's reverse meeting that saw them suffer a 44-18 loss.
This game on paper sees a firm win for the Red Devils but I see it being fairly close so Salford 20 London 16.
This weekend's seven games feature three that took place in May's Magic Weekend programme and the excitement of the season continues with the League Leaders Shield, the top four and top eight still unconfirmed.
Tonight sees a huge clash at Langtree Park between St Helens and Warrington with the Saints knowing a win will see them claim the League Leaders Shield for the first time since 2008.
The current table toppers go into the tie on the back of a narrow win over Leeds which was their fourth win in their last five games and with only Castleford able to prevent them topping the end of season standings the LLS does seem bound for a return to St Helens.
Warrington's recent form is mixed with just two wins and a draw from their last five games including a draw against Huddersfield in the previous round but with second to sixth separated by just a single point, the pressure is on especially with a tough trip to Wigan awaiting them next week.
Last season's meeting at Langtree Park saw the Wolves seal a 29-16 win as one of two wins from three which saw a 48-22 win at the Magic Weekend but this season's reverse meeting saw St Helens claim a 38-8 win before suffering a 41-24 loss at the Magic Weekend so a league double is still on the cards.
Saints are without Mark Percival due to concussion with Gary Wheeler included in the 19-man squad while Warrington include Roy Asotasi in place of Anthony England.
St Helens: Makinson, Turner, Jones, Swift, Hohaia, Masoe, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Manu, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Amor, Wellens, Walmsley, Wheeler, Dawson, Richards, McDonnell.
Warrington Wolves: Asotasi, Atkins, Currie, R. Evans, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Laithwaite, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Myler, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Russell, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood.
This will be a really close game but I think St Helens will edge a win so St Helens 24 Warrington 22.
Strangely, there is only one Friday night game but what a huge game it is as Wigan host Leeds in a battle between the reigning Super League and Challenge Cup winners.
Wigan go into the game with just two wins in their last four games after a 24-10 loss against Widnes in the previous round and with Warrington visiting the DW Stadium next week, the Warriors need a huge switch in form if they are to retain their Super League title.
Leeds may have won the Challenge Cup a fortnight ago but their league form is woeful with three successive losses forming a run of just one win in their last five games. The Rhinos sit sixth but know a win could see them go second in the table.
Last season's league meeting at the DW saw Leeds secure a 20-6 win in the final round of the regular season but the Warriors bounced back with a 22-12 win in the play-offs on their way to winning the Grand Final. This season's reverse meeting saw Leeds triumph 28-12 at Headingley but that was followed by a 18-14 loss two weeks later at the Magic Weekend so the Rhinos are on course to secure a league double over the Warriors.
Wigan include Liam Farrell after he was found not guilty of a Grade B offence against Widnes but Iain Thornley misses out after suffering an injury in training with Matt Bowen returning alongside Ben Flower who replaces Scott Taylor. Leeds are without the suspended Joel Moon who is replaced by Jimmy Keinhorst.
Wigan Warriors: Bateman, Bowen, Charnley, Clubb, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Green, Hughes, Manfredi, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, Pettybourne, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, J Tomkins.
Leeds Rhinos : Hardaker, Watkins, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Achurch, T Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Keinhorst.
This will be a really close game but I see Wigan bouncing back and edging a win so Wigan 22 Leeds 18.
The remaining five games of the round all take place on Sunday with the fight for eight place making Catalan's trip to face Hull KR an important one with the Dragons still not safe with just a four point lead over the Robins.
Hull KR go into the game on the back of a humiliating 28-0 defeat in the Hull derby and with just one win in their last five games, a win is desperately needed to have any chance of ending the season on a high and end the worst outcome of finishing 12th.
Catalan make the long trip to Yorkshire on the back of a comfortable win over London but the victory was only their second in five games which has seen them slip from challenging for a place in the top six to the prospect of slipping out of the top eight.
Last season's meeting at Craven Park saw the Dragons secure a 32-24 victory with the reverse meeting earlier this season resulting in a similar outcome as they triumphed 37-24 and the omens are in their favour having won four of the last five meetings including the last three at Craven Park.
Catalan have been poor on their travels this season and I see this continuing so Hull KR 28 Catalan 20.
Aside from the aforementioned duo, Widnes are the only other side in contention for the top eight and they will look to further their push when they travel to face relegated Bradford.
The Bulls have done well since the relegation was confirmed and have won three of their last five games which will serve them well in preparation for next season's Championship campaign and a win would see them reach eight for the season just one shy of Hull and Salford.
Widnes have a strange recent run of form with three wins in their last five game but with the two losses in games two and four meaning the run of form would suggest a loss on Sunday something that could dent what has been a good season for the Vikings made better with a win over Wigan in the previous round.
Last season's meeting at Odsal saw the Vikings claim a 32-28 win with this season's reverse meeting seeing them edge a tight game with a 22-18 win which puts them on course for a league double over the Bulls.
After watching Widnes first hand last week, I see them coming out on top on Sunday so Bradford 16 Widnes 28.
The unpredictability at the top recently has seen Huddersfield go sitting adrift in sixth to sit fourth and just one point off second place as they welcome Hull FC to the John Smith's Stadium.
Huddersfield have taken advantage of their rivals problems with four wins and a draw in their last five games including salvaging a last-gasp point at Warrington having blown a 23-6 lead to go on to draw 24-24. The Giants know that a retention of the League Leaders Shield is now impossible but to finish first and second in adjoining seasons would be a success.
Hull FC travel across Yorkshire in mixed form as despite cruising to a 38-0 derby win, the victory was only their second in their last five games and with the hopes of a top eight finish now over, there is just the league placings to play for for the Airlie Birds.
Last season's league meeting in Huddersfield saw the Giants secure a 24-10 victory before demolishing the visitors 76-18 in the end of season play-offs a result that ended Peter Gentle tenure at the KC Stadium.
This one I see being a comfortable night for the Giants so Huddersfield 36 Hull 20.
A local Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield could be the most important between the sides for a long time given that both still have a lot to play for this season.
Castleford bounced back from defeat at Wembley to secure a win over Bradford which was their second win in their last five games which have also seen two draws as they continue what has been a superb season in comparison to the struggles of 2013.
Wakefield make the short trip across town in mixed form with two wins in their last five games but with the chance to reach the top eight and end of season play-offs still alight, they will be keen to boost their hopes while at the same time denting their neighbours chances of a top four finish.
Last season's meeting at the Jungle saw Wakefield secure a 37-16 win in a match abandoned after 73 minutes due to a fire scare but the Tigers secured a 49-24 win at the Magic Weekend and replicated that form in this season's reverse meeting with a 43-20 win before securing a 50-12 win at the Magic Weekend.
This will be a cracker of a derby but I see the Tigers sealing a win so Castleford 30 Wakefield 22.
The final game of the round is the only one where neither side can affect the top eight places as Salford host relegated London.
Salford after being tipped by some as favourites to win the title this year go into the game with just two wins from their last five games and as a result their only success this season would be finishing ninth the Red Devils currently six points away from the hallowed top eight.
London know that they will end the season bottom of the league and with a maximum of three wins having won just once in their last five games, with the victory over Leeds their only positive result this season ans they come off the back of a heavy loss to Catalan in the previous round.
Last season's meeting in Salford saw London seal a 38-4 win one which they would love to repeat but they will hope to avoid a repeat of this season's reverse meeting that saw them suffer a 44-18 loss.
This game on paper sees a firm win for the Red Devils but I see it being fairly close so Salford 20 London 16.
No comments:
Post a Comment