The Super 8s stage of the Super League season got underway with a great game of rugby on Thursday night and on Friday there are two more good looking games with the leaders Hull FC among the sides in action.
With Warrington’s defeat on Thursday night, Hull FC can move two points clear at the top of the table if they can overcome Castleford in the TV match on Friday. The other match sees Wigan looking to keep up with the pace at the top when they host Wakefield at the DW Stadium.
Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers
Hull FC kept their hopes of the treble alive last week when they overcame Wigan to make it to the Challenge Cup final and they will be looking to enhance their chances of the league leaders’ shield with a win here. Castleford don’t have much to play for with the top four now nine points away from them but that could only make them more dangerous.
Hull FC have found their mojo again after a sticky time last month and that is important but this will be a test for them because they were involved in a physically brutal semi-final last week. Surprisingly Lee Radford has named an unchanged squad for this match although Fetuli Talanoa is doubtful through illness so Jordan Abdull could come into the side.
Castleford were sat with their feet up watching that semi-final last week so they definitely have the edge on the fitness front and with Denny Solomona, Rangi Chase, Luke Dorn and Lee Jewitt all returning for this match the Tigers have a strong looking squad available for this match as they seek a second win at the KC this season.
I’ve got to go with Castleford here. You only had to look at the Hull FC players at the end of that semi-final last week to know they were out on their feet and matches like that take a little while to get over. We saw on Thursday night how St Helens benefitted from not playing last week and I think Castleford will too. Whether that means they are good enough to knock off the leaders again I’m not sure but they can certainly remain within eight points of them at the very least.
Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
The two losing Challenge Cup semi-finalists of last week do battle this week with Wigan probably still smarting not just from that defeat but also the humiliating defeat they suffered to Wakefield earlier in the season.
Wigan go into this match with their attack really starting to come under fire so I’m expecting them to want to come out and silence their doubters but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will find what they need offensively.
Wakefield looked a beaten side last week. They are injury ravaged and likely to be there for the taking here although we’ve thought that in the past only for them to deliver something from absolutely nowhere.
I’m expecting Wigan to win this match but 18pts is a bit of a handicap to cover for a side who aren’t attacking very well. In fairness Wakefield can’t defend so if they are going to put up points then this is the time for Wigan to do it but off the back of a heavy Cup defeat which took its toll they might just settle for bagging the two points and running. This one has a trappy feel to it so I’m going to leave it although I wouldn’t be massively surprised if Wigan do cover the handicap.
Tips
WON – Back Castleford (+8) to beat Hull FC for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Bet365
Back them here:
