Championship Round Sixteen Predictions: Two form teams set for contrasting results

The Championship is back with seven fixtures this week as opposed to the six it ran last week and the table is starting to see some big movement.

In-form Bradford drew with Halifax last week but the Bulls are now firmly establishing themselves into the top six.

There was a shock win for bottom of the table Newcastle who picked up their first win since opening weekend against Keighley, the Cougars themselves possibly being dragged into a relegation battle.

Featherstone got back to winning ways after their one league defeat of the year whilst York, who didn’t play in the league due to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, crashed out at the hands of Leigh despite a valiant effort.

Here’s how we’re predicting the round sixteen games to go.

Friday 23rd June
Sheffield Eagles vs Newcastle Thunder: 19:30pm
Prediction: Sheffield 28-16 Newcastle

Sheffield suffered defeat last week away to Toulouse having beaten them at home earlier in the season. Whilst the result is obviously a concern, what could be more concerning is the travel on the return home for this short turnaround game. Newcastle won’t be hampered by that and enter this game off the back of a win, their first in the league since round one, so Thunder could be inspired against a potentially tired Sheffield side but even so the quality of Mark Aston’s side should shine through.

Saturday 24th June
Toulouse Olympique vs Bradford Bulls: 17:00pm
Prediction: Toulouse 42-24 Bradford

Toulouse playing at home compared to playing away are almost like two separate teams and understandably so. The home form of the Olympians is exceptional as they win with ease and by big score lines too. They’re hosting Bradford though who have started to turn their season around with three wins in a row preceding last week’s comeback draw against rivals Halifax. The acquisition of released Wakefield Trinity men Lee Gaskell and Jorge Taufua is also a boost, although it’s unclear if they’ll debut in the south of France. Regardless it’s impossible to ignore Toulouse’s exceptional home form and they should be too good for the Bulls.

Sunday 25th June
Batley Bulldogs vs London Broncos: 15:00pm
Prediction: Batley 30-20 London

The form team of the competition, Batley, host London this weekend and it’s hard to see past another win for the Bulldogs. Craig Lingard’s men have won nine of their last ten in the league, the sole loss coming to Featherstone. The Broncos had been coming into some form but have lost their last two, both of which came on the road exposing one of their weaknesses having only won three times away from home in ten attempts this season. Pair that with Batley’s form and it should be another win for Lingard.

Halifax Panthers vs Barrow Raiders: 15:00pm
Prediction: Halifax 26-16 Barrow

Halifax need to get back to winning ways and quick as they’re slowly slipping down the table and almost out of the playoff spots. The Panthers have picked up just three points from their last possible eight with a sudden dip in form coming out of the blue. Poor game management cost them the win last week at Odsal and they face a Barrow side who have started to get the better of teams. The Raiders were on just one win for a long time this season but four wins in their last six puts them close to the top of the form table. This game could come down to home advantage hence the pick of the Panthers.

Keighley Cougars vs Whitehaven: 15:00pm
Prediction: Keighley 14-22 Whitehaven

Keighley Cougars are on a perilous slide at the moment having lost all of their last five and seven of their last eight. The decision to sack head coach Rhys Lovegrove seemed a strange one at the time and it’s now being evidenced with poor performances and a lack of results. The Cougars even lost to Newcastle last weekend, it was Thunders’ first win since round one. As for Whitehaven they can distance themselves from the Cougars and look towards the playoffs with a win and form suggests they can do so. Two wins over high-flying Sheffield and then seventh placed Widnes is enough to suggest Keighley are in for a sixth straight loss.

Widnes Vikings vs Swinton Lions: 15:00pm
Prediction: Widnes 24-20 Swinton

This game sees two teams who are seriously struggling for form, both with just one win in their last five. John Kear’s Widnes has aspirations of promotion but this dip in form has seen them slide out of the playoffs, whilst Swinton have dropped to 13th and are at risk of the drop. It’s clearly a must-win for both sides, hence it could be very cagey and likely decided by mistakes, but Widnes are clearly the better team on paper and so they’re backed to get the job done.

York Knights vs Featherstone Rovers: 15:00pm
Prediction: York 8-46 Featherstone

York showed us all plenty of passion and gave Leigh a genuine scare last week but ultimately the Super League side’s fitness saw them through and the score line ended up lopsided. Subsequent to that massive effort last week the Knights could again end up on the wrong end of a lopsided score line with league leaders Featherstone coming to town. The Knights have struggled in the league, despite their cup exploits, and in the two games prior this season where York faced Featherstone it was Rovers who won by scores of 46-4 and 46-16. Featherstone to win and score 46 points seems a safe prediction right?