Super League Magic Weekend predictions as underdogs unanimously tipped and St Helens v Leeds Rhinos calls made

Super League Magic Weekend returns to Newcastle this weekend and with six games over two days, we’ve predicted how things will play out.

After a one-year hiatus as the sport went to Elland Road, Super League returns to St James Park which many now view as the ‘spiritual home’ of Magic Weekend.

A stadium in the city centre that holds a large capacity and can harness a brilliant atmosphere, Newcastle is a popular venue for Magic Weekend and that’s evident in the number of tickets Super League have sold with crowd figures expected to surpass 65,000 over the two days.

With games such as Leeds Rhinos versus St Helens, Wigan Warriors versus Warrington Wolves and a West Yorkshire derby between Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers rounding the event off, it’s no surprise that tickets are flying out.

Summer has also finally started with the sun set to shine on Magic Weekend which hopefully will see some expansive rugby league played.

Ahead of the six games, we’ve had our say on how they’ll play out.

Super League Magic Weekend predictions

Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons

Will Jackson: Two form teams here. Leigh have their injury doubts but if the likes of Tesi Niu, Jack Hughes and Gareth O’Brien are passed fit to play, I fancy them to edge a narrow one against Catalans, who have had a favourable run of fixtures of late it’s fair to say.
Prediction: Leigh 22-18 Catalans

Sam Cook: The likes of NRL recruits David Armstrong and Tesi Niu would relish these dryer conditions but the former won’t play and the latter may not, whilst there are also doubts over Gareth O’Brien. With those injury issues and the fact they couldn’t blow Salford out last week despite a fast start, I’m taking the brute force of Catalans to do the job, just.
Prediction: Leigh 22-26 Catalans

Peter Smith: Neither team’s scoring as many points as they’d like, they’ve each looked vulnerable defensively at times and both could have half an eye on a Cup semi-final next week. Sam Tomkins’ return might swing it for Catalans.
Prediction: Leigh 20-24 Catalans

Hull KR v Salford Red Devils

Will Jackson: This one looks straightforward and I think it will be for Hull KR, even if they are missing their first choice wingers. I’m backing the Robins to rack up quite a score at St James’ Park.
Prediction: Hull KR 40-12 Salford Red Devils

Sam Cook: These sides met in Round Three when Salford had the likes of Sneyd, Watkins, Lafai, Cross, Singleton and Atkin all playing, all of whom have since left. They also had Nene Macdonald and Chris Hill that night but lost 42-0. Their only saviour here could be that Hull KR look ahead to their Challenge Cup semi-final and/or rest players.
Prediction: Hull KR 62-4 Salford Red Devils

Peter Smith: The Robins are another side with a Challenge Cup semi-final looming and might rest a few, but they’ll be too strong for Salford who have lost too much quality and experience to be competitive against the league leaders.
Prediction: Hull KR 32-4 Salford Red Devils

St Helens v Leeds Rhinos

Will Jackson: I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with what I’ve seen from St Helens in recent weeks and their loss against Warrington Wolves last week was arguably their worst performance of the season. I fancy them to come unstuck once more against a Leeds side that looks to be improving under Brad Arthur, with last week’s performance in defeat providing plenty of encouragement.
Prediction: St Helens 16-24 Leeds Rhinos

Sam Cook: Arguably the toughest fixture to call this weekend because you simply don’t know what St Helens team turns up. Leeds will bring effort and grit, something Saints built themselves on during their four-year run. Of late, mistakes have become common and their ability to win ‘big games’ has gone missing so put me down for a Leeds win.
Prediction: St Helens 14-22 Leeds Rhinos

Peter Smith: Leeds have won just once in 19 games against Saints, but are arguably in better form. Saints surely can’t play as badly as they did last week and Leeds are lacking some pivotal players, but that dreadful run has got to end sometime.
Prediction: St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos

Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC

Will Jackson: The return of Adam Clune is a big one for Huddersfield and with Zac Woolford back in the side, too, things are starting to look up for the Giants. Hull have some injury doubts and I think that could make this a tight and edgy affair at St James’ Park. Having said that, I think Hull will just about get the job done over the winless Huddersfield.
Prediction: Huddersfield Giants 10-14 Hull FC

Sam Cook: This is likely Huddersfield’s best chance at a win for some time but I can’t see them taking it. Adam Clune being named in the squad is a boost but the Black and Whites are a level or two above. Watch out for Will Pryce against his former club to grab the Man of the Match medal.
Prediction: Huddersfield Giants 8-38 Hull FC

Peter Smith: Giants are in the sort of form Hull endured all last year, while FC have lost their last two. It doesn’t have the hallmarks of a classic, but the black and whites should comfortably get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Huddersfield Giants 6-30 Hull FC

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves

Will Jackson: Warrington did themselves proud without any recognised half-backs in the second half of last week’s game, but if Danny Walker can’t play, that will be another big blow. Wigan weren’t at their best last week but they did more than enough to see off Hull and I think they’ll get a similar result here.
Prediction: Wigan Warriors: 34-12 Warrington Wolves.

Sam Cook: Wigan put Wire to the sword in Las Vegas (before taking their foot off the gas) and now Sam Burgess is without George Williams and could again call upon Oli Leyland, who struggled stateside. Big occasions are what Matt Peet’s side thrive on and they’ll want to make another statement.
Prediction: Wigan Warriors 40-8 Warrington Wolves

Peter Smith: Potentially the game of the weekend. Warrington lack consistency and have a Cup semi-final coming up while all Wigan’s eggs are in one basket and they are showing ominous signs of hitting top gear.
Prediction: Wigan Warriors 30-12 Warrington Wolves

Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity

Will Jackson: Danny McGuire’s side got the win last time around and I think they might just have turned a corner with new signings arriving to provide the boost they needed. Wakefield look a little stretched and I would not be surprised to see them fall marginally short against their local rivals.
Prediction: Castleford Tigers 20-18 Wakefield Trinity

Sam Cook: Just like the first game of Super League Magic Weekend, this is another very competitive fixture between a side reeling from a golden point loss and another who are making weekly improvements. Castleford’s recent spate of recruitment could give them the boost to nick this one, particularly given how close they came in Round Eight.
Prediction: Castleford Tigers 22-20 Wakefield Trinity

Peter Smith: One point separated the sides two weeks ago and since Trinity’s win that evening, they’ve lost some key men in the middle and Tigers have strengthened. Castleford might nick it this time.
Prediction: Castleford Tigers 20-16 Wakefield Trinity