The Championship is back for another round of games, and this week could prove pivotal in the race for the playoffs.
Last week saw some huge results; Sheffield Eagles put Batley to the sword, Bradford recorded a massive win over Swinton Lions and Featherstone carried on their great form as they beat Keighley. Elsewhere Toulouse beat Barrow Raiders, York Knights downed Newcastle, London Broncos got one over Whitehaven and Widnes edged a close encounter with 1895 Cup champions Halifax Panthers. But what does this week have in store? Here are our predictions:
Saturday 2nd September
Newcastle Thunder 4-42 Toulouse
It looks like another long day is in store for the Thunder. Toulouse have been in fine form of late; as the French side have won their last five games, and will be licking their lips at the opportunity to make it six on the spin. Their hosts Newcastle, on the other hand, are in all sorts of bother. They have been comfortably second best in the majority of games this season, including their loss to York last weekend; and this probably won’t change against Toulouse. Newcastle are also currently five points adrift at the bottom of the table; and a defeat this weekend against high flying Toulouse could push them one step closer to relegation.
Sunday 3rd September
Bradford Bulls 24-36 Featherstone Rovers
The bubble had to burst at some point for the resurgent Bulls, and the challenge of Featherstone could do just that. The Bulls have sneaked their way up the table in recent weeks, and sit in third place; however Featherstone are also bang in form and when they click they are a handful for any side. With all the noise off the field for the Rovers, this could fuel the players to prove a point and continue their drive for Championship glory. It will be a high scoring contest at Odsal, but Featherstone will prove too much for Bradford in the end.
Keighley Cougars 18-12 Barrow Raiders
This game has huge implications on the relegation scrap; but ultimately the Cougars should edge it. Both teams were outdone by the top two last week, and the week before they both edged close encounters; however that performance the Cougars put in against Batley shows they can turn it on, which we haven’t seen enough of this season. A win for the Cougars would also see them jump ahead of Barrow in the table, giving them a bit of extra breathing room as we enter the closing stages of the season, and with a home crowd behind them they should take this opportunity. It could easily go either way though.
Sheffield Eagles 24-18 London Broncos
Fourth placed Sheffield Eagles take on the fifth placed London Broncos in what promises to be an enthralling encounter. The teams come into the game separated by two points, and will both be looking to pull away from the chasing pack below them. Both teams also won last time out, so will be looking to build off impressive displays; however the way the Eagles dispatched of Batley with ease last weekend means they should edge this contest. This is another one that could go either way, but Sheffield’s dominance against Batley showed they can tear teams apart and should see them through against London.
Whitehaven 12-28 Halifax Panthers
The Panthers come into this game with a point to prove. Winless since their triumph at Wembley, they will be looking to show that win was no flash in the pan; and Whitehaven is the perfect chance for them to do this. Whitehaven haven’t been in great form themselves, losing their last two games; however Halifax have a point to prove and will also want to keep up their hunt for the playoffs, and this should see them through a tough visit to Cumbria.
Widnes Vikings 42-18 Batley Bulldogs
Widnes have really turned a corner in recent weeks, and should carry this momentum on against a faltering Batley side on Sunday. A win for the Vikings would see them leapfrog the West Yorkshire outfit in sixth place too. Batley, on the other hand, have really struggled in recent weeks and are winless since the 1895 Cup semi-final. This poor run has also seen them lose heavily to Sheffield Eagles, Featherstone Rovers and Bradford Bulls, and the trip to Widnes could be another tough day for them.
York Knights 36-24 Swinton Lions
A win for York is vital if they are to keep up with the teams above them in the hunt for the top six; and the visit of Swinton gives them a great opportunity to do this. Last time out the Knights came away with a solid victory over bottom side Newcastle, and they should come away with a similar result this weekend. Swinton put in a strong performance against Bradford last weekend, and should come into this game with plenty of aspirations; but in a similar vain to last week they just won’t have enough to down the Knights at home.
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