Looking ahead to round 19 of Super League and it’s time for some predictions, where the major game that splits opinion is St Helens v Catalans Dragons.
Saints endured a 46-0 hammering from Toulouse last time out, in arguably their worst home defeat in the modern era. Catalans lost to Leeds, and failed to score a point until the final few minutes, so neither side is in good form, but our writers can’t decide between who gets over the line on Friday night.
Before deep diving into who and by how much that game will be won by, we need to look back at last week’s predictions with Sam Cook recording six from seven, including the shock upset win for Toulouse.
The victors from that will face York Knights in a replay of last year’s Championship Grand Final late on Saturday night, with the two earlier games pitting Warrington versus Hull KR, and Hull FC versus Leigh Leopards.
Thursday’s action starts with Bradford hosting Wakefield with the Bulls having finally won on the road last week. They beat hapless Huddersfield, who host Wigan on Friday night at the same time as St Helens’ game against Catalans Dragons.
Sunday rounds the action off with a West Yorkshire derby as Castleford Tigers host Leeds Rhinos. Our picks for that game, plus all other six, as well as an updated predictions leaderboard can be seen below.
Super League Round 19 Predictions
Bradford Bulls v Wakefield Trinity @ 8:00 pm on Thursday, 16th July
Peter Smith: Bradford 14-30 Wakefield
Bulls are tough to beat on their own patch and had their first away win last week, but Trinity are playing well and should be too good.
Sam Cook: Bradford 16-38 Wakefield
This is a game that I fear could blow out late on for Bradford with the sheer size of the Wakefield pack set to prove too much on that narrow pitch.
Sam Brocksom: Bradford 16-30 Wakefield
Bradford will be up for it given it’s a local derby, and they are usually good at Odsal, but Wakefield look far too strong, and they will want to continue some consistency as we approach the business end of the year.
Huddersfield Giants v Wigan Warriors @ 8:00 pm on Friday, 17th July
PS: Huddersfield 6-40 Wigan
Can Giants repeat their shock success against Wigan from earlier in the season? No.
SC: Huddersfield 0-62 Wigan
Huddersfield have been improving under Jim Lenihan, there’s no doubt about that, but Matt Peet will want his side to avenge their shock loss earlier this year and Wigan, regardless of which youngsters they field, will be bang up to make a statement.
SB: Huddersfield 6-42 Wigan
With Jai Field back and a half in George Marsden returning, I can’t see anything less than a convincing win for Matt Peet’s side
St Helens v Catalans Dragons @ 8:00 pm on Friday, 17th July
PS: St Helens 24-20 Catalans
Two teams low on form and confidence, but Saints might edge it on the basis they can only improve from last week’s humiliation by Toulouse.
SC: St Helens 16-20 Catalans
Saints are on a short turnaround which, despite their injury issues, may help as they’ll be eager to put right Sunday’s humiliating loss. Whether they can is a different matter though and I may just edge Catalans.
SB: St Helens 12-28 Catalans
Saints can’t be as bad as they were against Toulouse, but at the same time, their injuries look too severe to say that they can topple Les Dracs.
Warrington Wolves v Hull KR @ 3:00 pm on Saturday, 18th July
PS: Warrington 14-24 Hull KR
A huge game for both teams; the Robins have a big performance in them and this would be a good time to bring it out.
SC: Warrington 18-22 Hull KR
Whilst they may not drop out of the play-offs with a loss here, I would maybe consider it season over for Hull KR if they lose and there’s a real chance of that but I think they narrowly win.
SB: Warrington 20-28 Hull KR
To say it’s Round 19, this will be the first time these two meet in the league this season, and it comes at a pivotal time in the ladder. After defeat to Wakefield, I think KR will have enough to topple the depleted Wire.
Hull FC v Leigh Leopards @ 5:30 pm on Saturday, 18th July
PS: Hull FC 10-18 Leigh
Second-bottom versus sixth – the league table does not lie.
SC: Hull FC 14-32 Leigh
The Black and Whites’ attack has been horrid in recent weeks so unless they can keep Leigh to 16 or less then history suggests they’ll lose and with several players back, I’m picking Leigh to score well over 16.
SB: Hull FC 18-32 Leigh
The Leopards are in the six now, and they will want to stay there, so wins like these are a must.
Toulouse Olympique v York Knights @ 8:00 pm on Saturday, 18th July
PS: Toulouse 36-24 York
Who’d have thought this would be a clash between two of the form teams? Home advantage could be the decisive factor in the sweltering south of France.
SC: Toulouse 38-32 York
Both teams are bang on form and love to score but home advantage likely proves too much for the Knights to overcome.
SB: Toulouse 20-18 York
Arguably the most underrated game of the weekend, both sides come into this game on good form, but I expect the French side to take the spoils here.
Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos @ 3:00 pm on Sunday, 19th July
PS: Castleford 10-30 Leeds
Arguably Tigers’ biggest home game of the season and they aren’t without a chance, but Leeds will win if they maintain their recent high standard.
SC: Castleford 10-44 Leeds
Brad Arthur has put a focus on being clinical on away days and they showed that last week against Catalans. Castleford had a good performance in defeat last week so history would suggest they’re due a bad one this week, and that could spell danger.
SB: Castleford 8-46 Leeds
Leeds have won on their last three visits to Wheldon Road, and I can’t see that changing any time soon.
Predictions Leaderboard:
1st: Peter Smith – 105
2nd: Sam Cook – 103
3rd: Sam Brocksom – 96
