Magic Weekend is done and dusted but it’s time for round 18 of Super League and our predictions, with the key game splitting opinion between Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity.
Trinity beat Hull KR at the death in the reverse fixture, but the Robins will be tough to beat at Craven Park. Before we get into that, we need to look back at last week’s predictions with Peter Smith recording a perfect seven from seven.
The games may prove tougher to pick this week, though, as there are two top six ties with that KR Wakefield clash one of them, but Wigan Warriors play Warrington Wolves on Friday night in another big match.
York Knights will start the action off when hosting Hull FC on Thursday, with bottom of the table Huddersfield hosting Bradford on Friday night. Saturday’s triple header includes that Hull KR and Wakefield game, sandwiched between Leigh versus Castleford and Catalans versus Leeds.
The action concludes on Sunday when St Helens welcome Toulouse Olympique. Our predictions on those seven games, as well as an updated leaderboard, can be seen below.
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Super League Round 18 predictions
York Knights v Hull FC – Thursday, 9th July @ 8:00 pm
Peter Smith: York 24-16 Hull FC
York have beaten Hull once already this season and, based on their last couple of performances, are capable of doing it again.
Sam Cook: York 26-18 Hull FC
York are typically good for 20+ points, hitting that mark in five of their last six games, whereas FC have passed 20 just once since April and that’s probably the crux of this game. At home and seeking a third win, I’ll take York.
Sam Brocksom: York 14-20 Hull FC
All signs point to a York win, but FC will want a response after Magic Weekend and revenge from their defeat to the Knights earlier in the season.
Huddersfield Giants v Bradford Bulls – Friday, 10th July @ 8:00 pm
PS: Huddersfield 18-22 Bradford
Giants have won only twice this season and Bulls are yet to pick up a victory on the road; patched-up Bradford showed battling qualities against Leeds last week that might be too good for Huddersfield.
SC: Huddersfield 18-34 Bradford
This is Bradford’s best chance yet of an away win and they really have to seize it against a downtrodden Huddersfield side who they have already beaten this year.
SB: Huddersfield 12-32 Bradford
Bradford surely earn their first away win of the season here, right?
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves – Friday, 10th July @ 8:00 pm
PS: Wigan 30-10 Warrington
Wigan’s injuries might take their toll, but Warrington are also missing some troops and their form has dipped alarmingly in recent games.
SC: Wigan 28-16 Warrington
Both sides are down on troops but Wigan’s young talents just seem inevitable and fearless. They’ve still got Jai Field, Harry Smith and Brad O’Neill in their spine as well who should control the game and help them to a comfortable win.
SB: Wigan 24-4 Warrington
Sam Burgess’ side were dire at Magic Weekend, and whilst Wigan have some big injuries, getting past Warrington on last week’s form should still be something they can do with relative ease.
Leigh Leopards v Castleford Tigers – Saturday, 11th July @ 3:00 pm
PS: Leigh 40-16 Castleford
Tigers can’t be much worse than they were against Wakefield last week, but Leigh are looking good and should be too strong.
SC: Leigh 40-20 Castleford
Castleford’s inconsistencies continue and whilst I think there will be a response, the Leopards are on the prowl at the moment and they could run up a score here.
SB: Leigh 28-18 Castleford
The Leopards have eight wins from their last 10, and look all but certain to keep that good form going as they return to the LSV.
Hull KR v Wakefield Trinity – Saturday, 11th July @ 5:30 pm
PS: Hull KR 24-22 Wakefield
Could go either way; Wakefield’s form is probably a bit better, but home advantage might be decisive.
SC: Hull KR 16-14 Wakefield
Home advantage at Craven Park is the difference here. Wakefield’s pack is one of the strongest in Super League and KR are short in that area through injuries and suspension, however, the home crowd and a Jez Litten masterclass could see them home.
SB: Hull KR 20-24 Wakefield
Trinity want that top four spot come the end of the season, but to do so you would think they would need to earn a win here.
Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos – Saturday, 11th July @ 8:00 pm
PS: Catalans 10-30 Leeds
If the heat doesn’t get to them, the league leaders will be too good for their French hosts.
SC: Catalans 10-30 Leeds
John Cartwright will want a response but so too will Brad Arthur after his side shipped some quickfire points in the second half, something they did away to Toulouse. He’ll want to eradicate any doubt and this could be a fired-up and disciplined Rhinos win.
SB: Catalans 12-38 Leeds
Leeds are far too strong at the minute for their Perpignan hoodoo to continue. Catalans got 60 put on them by Toulouse last week, and if they aren’t careful, the same could happen on Saturday.
St Helens v Toulouse Olympique – Sunday, 12th July @ 3:00 pm
PS: St Helens 20-18 Toulouse
Toulouse are buoyed by an outstanding win last week, but if Saints are going to hold on to a top-six place this is a game they need to win.
SC: St Helens 24-28 Toulouse
If Toulouse play for 80 minutes, something they so rarely do, then they would win this comfortably but they rarely do that. However, Saints are short on so many key players that I still think the Olympians can snatch a win with a 60-minute performance, just.
SB: St Helens 22-18 Toulouse
Whilst I’m not confident, I think Saints, even in their injury crisis, should still emerge as victors in this one.
1st: Peter Smith – 100
2nd: Sam Cook – 97
3rd: Sam Brocksom – 91
