Championship Predictions: Featherstone Rovers to bounce back and Widnes Vikings to carry on great form

After a dramatic 1895 Cup Final, the attention now turns back to the Championship as things heat up at both ends of the table. There are some huge clashes this week, including the top of the table match between Featherstone Rovers and Sheffield Eagle and Whitehaven and Barrow battle it out in a massive game in the relegation scrap, but how will they pan out? Here are our predictions: 

Friday 18th August 

Featherstone Rovers 30-18 Sheffield Eagles

This is a massive game for the Rovers. They have a had a turbulent couple of weeks, losing to Halifax Panthers and losing Head Coach Sean Long to local rivals Wakefield Trinity; however they should bounce back to claim a win over the Eagles. Sheffield are a great outfit, but have shown they are there for the taking this season, and Featherstone will be fuelled up to show that defeat to Halifax was just a bump in the road.

Saturday 19th August

Toulouse 42-18 Swinton 

Toulouse should put Swinton to the sword this weekend. The Lions got the better of the French outfit earlier in the season, and come into the game off the back of a great win against Keighley Cougars before the break; but traveling to the South of France has proved difficult for most teams this season and Toulouse could put a big score on their opponents. Toulouse also boast the second best attack in the league whereas Swinton have the fourth worst defence, so it could be a long day for the Lions.

Sunday 20th August 

Bradford Bull 36-6 Newcastle Thunder

Bradford welcome bottom side Newcastle to the Odsal this weekend, looking to make it two wins on the spin. The Bulls dismantled Batley prior to the 1895 Cup break, and a win over Newcastle could see them leapfrog the Bulldogs in the table; and whilst Newcastle will be looking for revenge following their humiliation against Widnes, this dangling carrot will prove too much for the Bulls to ignore, and they should get one over the Thunder.

Keighley Cougars 12-36 Batley Bulldogs 

Batley will be hurting after their Wembley heartbreak, and a visit to Cougar Park could be the perfect remedy for them. The Cougars have really struggled since Luke Gale left for Wakefield, and they now find themselves only three points off bottom side Newcastle. The Bulldogs haven’t been in sparkling form themselves; however the manner of the defeat in the Capital will surely fuel them onto a win on Sunday. A win for Batley will also keep some distance between themselves and the chasing pack in the playoff race, which could be huge.

London Broncos 18-12 Halifax Panthers 

1895 Cup winners Halifax Panthers return to Championship action; however it could be a tough return as they face the Broncos. The teams are currently fighting it out for that sixth place in the table, as they are only separated by one point. This game could go either way, however the Broncos come into the game with a point to prove against the 1895 Cup champions, and the chance to leapfrog them into the top six will also give them something extra to play for, but equally Halifax will want to turn their cup success into League success and replicate the Leigh Leopards in winning the double; so this really could go either way.

Widnes Vikings 24-18 York City Knights 

Widnes have turned it around in recent weeks, and they should carry on their good form against York. This will be a tough test for the Vikings, after all York only sit four points behind them in the table; however if recent performances are anything to go by Widnes should edge this one. Widnes tore Newcastle apart last time out and haven’t lost since the 1st of July, so form should carry them through against York.

Monday 21st August 

Whitehaven 24-12 Barrow Raiders 

This is another game with huge implications on the table, as Barrow and Whitehaven look to pull away from the relegation scrap. Whitehaven pulled off a remarkable win against Sheffield last time out, and likewise Barrow got one over Bradford the week before, so both teams know how to win big games; but ultimately Whitehaven should get the win. A win for the Cumbrian’s would also put them level on points with York, and more importantly put a nine point gap between themselves and Newcastle at the bottom. You never know in sport, but that could all but secure their place in the Championship next season.