There’s plenty to play for in the penultimate round of the regular season. Here are my predictions…
Wigan Warriors vs St Helens (Thu, 7:45pm)
While a lot of attention will be on the sides fighting to make the top eight, I hope we get a fantastic game on Thursday night when the top two sides meet in what is always a passionate derby.
I was at Wigan’s game at Huddersfield last week and they were absolutely awful. They missed Sean O’Loughlin badly and without his leadership they had no plan with the ball and no discipline without it.
Saints keep rolling on but they know Wigan will turn up for this one. The Warriors are unbeaten at home this season but that record might just come to an end.
Prediction: Wigan Warriors 22-30 St Helens
Castleford Tigers vs Huddersfield Giants (Fri, 7:45pm)
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Huddersfield have now won seven of their last eight, and the transformation that has taken place under Simon Woolford has been remarkable.
They’re not out of the woods just yet though with one more victory required to be sure of a top eight place, and there aren’t many tougher places to go to then the Jungle.
Cas have coped brilliantly with the absence of some big players this season to remain comfortably inside the top four, and if they keep their focus they should have too much for the Giants.
Prediction: Castleford Tigers 34-24 Huddersfield Giants
Hull Kingston Rovers vs Warrington Wolves (Fri, 8:00pm)
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Hull KR have shown great fight in the last few weeks to win three on the bounce, but I think it’s come too late as they require snookers to make it out of the bottom four.
Warrington travel east a little out of form, having lost in the last minute to Wigan a fortnight ago and then drawn with Catalans last week at home.
They won’t get anything easy at Craven Park but if they play with their heads and the big players show up, they’ll get the win.
Prediction: Hull Kingston Rovers 20-32 Warrington Wolves
See my predictions for huge games involving Leeds, Catalans and Wakefield on page 2…
