Abba’s famous tune ‘The Winner Takes It All’ would be a very apt one in the Super League on Friday night when the top two meet at the KC Stadium on what promises to be a special night of rugby league.
There are three matches in total on Friday and at the end of it we will know our semi-final line up for next week. Before that is decided though we have the league leaders shield on the line as leaders Warrington head to Hull FC with the winner landing the silverware. Elsewhere Wigan will be looking for a win which will give them a home semi-final.
Hull FC vs Warrington Wolves
For the second time in the space of four weeks these two sides will battle it out for 80 minutes for a piece of silverware. When they met at Wembley last month Hull FC won an epic clash and if this is half as good as that one was we are in for something special.
Since that afternoon Hull FC have lost a couple of matches and while they ended that losing streak at Wakefield last week they were anything but convincing. Warrington have already had a chance to secure the shield and looked to have it in their hands last week but they surrendered a 14pt lead to Wigan and need a second bite of the cherry.
Hull FC have actually won all three meetings with the Wolves this season and with Frank Pritchard and Mark Minichello back they are at full strength. Warrington are without the key injured trio of Kurt Gidley, Chris Sandow and Ben Currie so Kevin Penny is likely to play on the wing to free Matty Russell up to go to full back.
This is a really intriguing match. Hull FC look gassed and done in since they won at Wembley while Warrington Wolves are beginning to build a reputation for not being able to get it done in the big match. Someone has to win this and I’ve a feeling it will be Warrington. That said I’m not confident of that fact. I will still back them but I’ll have the 10pt start on my side. With everything on the line it has the feeling of a much closer match than a 10pt swing.
Wigan Warriors vs Catalans Dragons
Wigan go into their final match knowing that a win will see them at home in the semi-final next week and at this stage of the season there are few bigger incentives to get the job done than that. Catalans have faded badly and play for nothing but pride here.
Wigan Warriors showed some serious resolve and character to come back from 14pts with a man down at Warrington last week and I’ve got to believe they will win this match especially with the influential Sean O’Loughlin back. Sam Tomkins misses out but I don’t think he’ll be missed that badly.
Catalans remain absolutely ravaged by injuries and they have never been the best of travellers at the best of times so I’m expecting a comfortable home win here and one which sees a 16pt start covered in full.
St Helens vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
This is the dead rubber of the night and I’m not interested in getting involved in it. Kieron Cunningham is resting a number of key players ahead of next week as he should do and Wakefield are awful so rather than guess what will happen I’ll sit this one out.
Tips
WON – Back Warrington Wolves (+10) to beat Hull FC for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
WON – Back Wigan Warriors (-16) to beat Catalans Dragons for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
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