The Super League continues on Friday night with four more matches in the competition with each match starting to carry more and more significance as we get closer and closer to the end of the first stage of the season.
As ever on a Friday night we’ve got a TV match which we’ll begin our preview with and then three matches which aren’t on screen making up the fixtures.
Warrington Wolves vs Catalans Dragons
Two of the top four meet in front of the cameras at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as Warrington host Catalans. The French side will move to the top of the table for 36hrs should they win while Warrington get right back in the table topping picture with a win of their own.
Warrington dropped away a touch last week when the leaders Hull FC went and turned them over but they are close to full strength here with Ben Westwood, Jack Hughes, Matty Russell and Kevin Penny all back here. They have a good record over Catalans too which will give them confidence.
While players are coming back for Warrington they are going the other way for Catalans. Their injury list is well stocked and it has had the names of Dave Taylor and Justin Horo added to the likes of Louis Anderson, Gregory Mounis and Richie Myler. In all the Dragons are without 10 players for this one.
Normally I’d fancy Catalans to make a game of this but with the injuries they have they will do well to hang on to a Warrington side who can be rampant when they get their noses in front. I think Warrington win this and win it going away.
St Helens vs Hull KR
This will be a decent test for St Helens who were absolutely wiped out by the Catalans in France last week. Hull KR look to be improving all the time and while they went down to Wigan last week they gave them everything they had.
St Helens have now lost Theo Fages to injury and he joins Luke Walsh on the sidelines so where the creativity that St Helens so desperately need comes from remains to be seen. Hull KR are without their captain Terry Campese which isn’t ideal but Albert Kelly could be the difference here.
I would still be surprised if St Helens lose this but with a 14pt start it is almost a no brainer to side with Hull KR in this one. They can keep it tighter than that against a Saints attack that might struggle for field position.
Salford Red Devils vs Huddersfield Giants
All eyes will be on Huddersfield here to see if Paul Anderson’s sacking sparks an improvement out of them. It would need to though because they’ve gone back to being useless again after a slight upturn in form.
Salford can be either excellent or poor and sometimes both in the same match so with the guesswork needed as to how Huddersfield are going to react to Anderson’s sacking this is a no bet match for me.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats vs Leeds Rhinos
Can Leeds build on the win over Salford last week is the question a lot of people are asking. We’ll find out but they will need to play well to see off a Wakefield side who looked to come back into form again last week.
Wakefield are getting some key players back which is good for them. Their recent little slump came about when they were missing those players so now they are closer to full strength again we should expect them to improve from here. We shouldn’t get carried away with a win over Huddersfield but it is a start.
We know all about Leeds’ injury problems but they could have Ryan Hall back here which would be a major boost to their chances. Jordan Lilley returns too and the Rhinos know they can give this one everything safe in the knowledge that they have next week off.
I’m tempted to back Wakefield in this match but next week might be a distraction. I’d like to see another good performance from them before I get them on side again so I’ll sit this one out but of the two I expect them to win if all things are equal.
Tips
Back Warrington (-10) to beat Catalans for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Unibet
Back them here:
Back Hull KR (+14) to beat St Helens for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
