There are four matches in the Super League a Friday night as the first round of the Super 8s concludes and the qualifiers begin in a busy night of action in the competition.
There is a TV match among the four which comes from Headingley as the Leeds Rhinos take on the Wigan Warriors while the other three matches are away from the cameras on this occasion. We’ll start our preview with the TV game.
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Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors
Leeds Rhinos will look to bounce back from defeat in the Challenge Cup semi-final by taking on one of the sides who made it to the final of that competition in the form of the Wigan Warriors.
Both these sides will know the season really begins here. Leeds should make the top four from here while Wigan need to fly home to make it into the postseason so in many ways this is a bigger match for the Warriors than the Rhinos.
Both sides look to be close to full strength. Wigan miss Joel Tomkins and Sam Powell but they can cope without them. The way Leeds’ defence capitulated last week was worrying. I don’t expect Wigan to do that so it is the Warriors for me here.
Huddersfield Giants vs Wakefield Trinity
The sides in eighth and fifth meet in a Yorkshire derby where the Huddersfield Giants are drinking close to the last chance saloon if they are to make it into the play-offs. Wakefield Trinity are trying to keep pace with the top four too so this is a big match.
Both these teams have had the week off so both have had time to take stock of their seasons and work out the improvements necessary and I expect them to be on it here. Wakefield are missing David Fifita for this match though and that is a big loss.
I thought Huddersfield would be giving up more than the four points here but with Wakefield’s go forward lessened by Fifita’s absence and the home side really needing the win I’ll go with them to cover a try.
Hull FC vs Salford Red Devils
The other Challenge Cup finalists Hull FC take on the other losing semi-finalists in Salford Red Devils in a clash between two sides in the top four of the table. With the chasing pack closing in neither can afford to lose this match so this should be fiercely competitive.
Hull FC are going to be without Marc Sneyd among others for this match which is less than ideal so that puts me off taking the cup finalists. Salford’s season is just teetering on the edge of falling away so they don’t really appeal either so I’ll sit this one out.
Widnes Vikings vs Warrington Wolves
The first match in the qualifiers sees two Super League sides looking to get off to fast starts in their bids to retain their top flight status when the Widnes Wikings host the Warrington Wolves.
Both sides are of the standard that they should still achieve safety even if they lose this match but a win would take some of the pressure off in the matches to come so there is a great deal of importance in this one.
I think Warrington will win this match but they are missing a few players so whether they will win well remains to be seen. This has a leave alone feel about it at this stage of the season.
Tips
Back Wigan Warriors to beat Leeds Rhinos for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Bwin
Back them here:
WON – Back Huddersfield Giants (-4) to beat Wakefield Trinity for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betfred
Back them here:
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