Super League Round 12 predictions as strong Hull KR win expected but Warrington Wolves tipped for slip-up

Our Super League predictions are back, starting with tonight’s game between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors, a match that’s been diluted due to squad rotation ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup Final between the two sides.

Before jumping into our picks for that and the other six weeks, we need to look back at last week’s Super League predictions, where Sam Brocksom completed a clean sweep as he landed every game, including Bradford Bulls’ dramatic win over Hull FC.

As for this week’s action, it begins tonight when Hull KR face a heavily rotated Wigan Warriors side with Matt Peet taking no chances in terms of injury or suspension ahead of the Challenge Cup Final.

Friday night sees Leeds Rhinos host Huddersfield Giants whilst Hull FC look to bounce back from the aforementioned defeat as they go on the road to face Leigh Leopards.

There are three matches on Saturday, starting with Castleford Tigers versus St Helens, before evening games see Toulouse Olympique host Wakefield Trinity and York Knights host Catalans.

Bradford Bulls will then seek their first away win of the Super League season on Sunday in the final game of the round. Here is what we think will unfold over the weekend, as well as an updated leaderboard following last week’s results.

Major Warrington Wolves slip-up plus big Hull KR v Wigan Warriors verdict – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Predictions Show

Super League round 12 predictions

Hull KR v Wigan Warriors – Thursday, 21st May @ 20:00

Peter Smith: Hull KR 30-10 Wigan

Both coaches are resting top players ahead of Wembley next weekend, but the Robins’ 21 is stronger – or at least more experienced – and with home advantage they should win it.

Sam Cook: Hull KR 38-12 Wigan

Depending how strong Willie Peters opts to go, this could end up being a blowout given the sheer inexperience of the Wigan Warriors squad. Add to that the hostile nature of Craven Park and I’d expect a comfortable home win.

Sam Brocksom: Hull KR 50-10 Wigan

Wigan’s decision to play their kids will be proved right or wrong depending on if they win the Challenge Cup, but they have almost certainly thrown away this Super League game to do just that, so they will be hoping they have made the right choice.

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants – Friday, 22nd May @ 20:00

PS: Leeds 28-16 Huddersfield

This might be much closer than Rhinos’ 56-22 victory last month and Lachie Miller’s suspension is a blow for the home side, but they should still win it fairly comfortably to ruin Jim Lenihan’s debut as Huddersfield coach.

SC: Leeds 36-10 Huddersfield

The Giants proved last week that they won’t go away easily but they’ve lost a few key players to injury this week and with the Rhinos back at Headingley, they may put on a show.

SB: Leeds 36-6 Huddersfield

Lachie Miller’s absence will be a blow, but Leeds at home should be far too strong for a depleted Huddersfield.

Leigh Leopards v Hull FC  – Friday, 22nd May @ 20:00

PS: Leigh 36-20 Hull FC

Leigh are showing signs of life and can take a lot out of their performance against Hull KR last week. It’s not easy to predict what Hull will produce, but their last two performances have been dire.

SC: Leigh 36-10 Hull FC

Leigh were unfortunate against Hull KR and were arguably the better side for most of the 80 minutes, bar the 15 minutes before half-time. Compare that to Hull FC who have now lost consecutive games to promoted sides and are short on numbers, all signs point to a Leopards win.

SB: Leigh 30-14 Hull FC

Leigh performed well, albeit in defeat, against Hull KR last weekend, and I expect them to continue that form this week and put a good score on the Black and Whites

Castleford Tigers v St Helens – Saturday, 23rd May @ 15:00

PS: Castleford 12-24 St Helens

Tigers will be buoyed by last week’s win at York, but they haven’t backed up good performances this year and Saints, despite their injury problems, are tough to beat.

SC: Castleford 16-34 St Helens

Castleford’s inability to back up wins points to a St Helens win and Saints will want to kick on given the fact they lost the second-half to Huddersfield 18-2 last week.

SB: Castleford 12-28 St Helens

Castleford’s consistency has been non-existent this season, and with the league leaders coming to town, they will need to be on top form. However, I can’t see them getting back-to-back wins here.

Toulouse Olympique v Wakefield Trinity – Saturday, 23rd May @ 17:00

PS: Toulouse 10-50 Wakefield

Revenge time for Trinity after their shock home loss in round one and, if they pick up where they left off against Catalans Dragons last week, it could be by a big score.

SC: Toulouse 14-46 Wakefield

The French side are slow starters typically but Trinity’s pack is in such a rich vein of form that I find it hard to see them clawing much back, so if Wakefield start as strong as they finished last week then this could get ugly.

SB: Toulouse 14-20 Wakefield

This game will be interesting given neither side have been able to start well this season, but their second halves have been far better. That being said, Wakefield should win this one despite being the travelling side.

York Knights v Catalans Dragons – Saturday, 23rd May @ 20:00

PS: York 22-24 Catalans

Catalans’ away form is shocking, but with John Cartwright at the helm a new coach bounce might get them past injury-hit York.

SC: York 18-24 Catalans

The Knights are always competitive but their injury list is now reaching a level where they will really struggle, even if Catalans’ road form is poor. Players will surely be keen to perform given John Cartwright’s addition and also for personal pride after last week’s collapse against Wakefield.

SB: York 18-22 Catalans

John Cartwright has joined the Dragons until the end of the season, and that new manager bounce could make a difference this week. It will be an incredible effort to go from the horrors of Wakefield last week to winning at the weekend, but Catalans have the star quality to do that.

Warrington Wolves v Bradford Bulls  – Sunday, 24th May @ 15:00

PS: Warrington  30-14 Bradford

Warrington probably won’t have it all their own way, but they look too strong for Bulls, especially on home turf.

SC: Warrington 18-22 Bradford

My shock pick of the week, something I outlined on the Serious About Rugby League Predictions Show, and it comes mainly to Warrington putting in poor second-half showings in their last two. With how competitive the Bulls have been and importantly the fact Jayden Nikorima is fit, I fear they could sneak a close one as they did against Hull FC.

SB: Warrington 24-16 Bradford

Wire’s second half last week was far from ideal, allowing Toulouse back into a game they were never really in. If they do that this week, the Bulls could pull off a shock win – however I think Warrington will have enough to avoid a slip-up.

Motive for Brodie Croft Rhinos exit & Hull FC’s unwanted record – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show

Predictions Leaderboard

1st: Peter Smith– 65

2nd: Sam Cook – 64

3rd: Sam Brocksom – 60