Round 26 of Super League is here, and it could be argued that there’s never been a tougher set of predictions to make, with the headline clash seeing Leeds Rhinos host Wigan Warriors.
That game on Saturday night is likely to decide the League Leaders Shield winner, but before jumping into how the game may play out, we need to look at last week’s predictions, where Huddersfield beating Leigh and Catalans beating Castleford foiled all our picks.
Castleford are one of the first teams in action this week as they travel to take on injury-riddled Bradford on Thursday night as the Bulls look to avoid the wooden spoon.
Also at risk of the wooden spoon are Hull FC, who face Toulouse in France on Friday night before Hull KR host Huddersfield and Leigh Leopards welcome St Helens. Both those 8:00 pm games have huge play-off ramifications as Rovers and Leigh could both secure their top six status with wins.
Onto Saturday and it’s fourth versus third when Wakefield host Warrington, but the main event is at Headingley when Leeds take on Wigan in what appears to be a League Leaders Shield shootout.
Catalans also host York that evening, and our predictions for all seven games plus an updated leaderboard can be found below.
Super League round 26 predictions
Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers – Thursday, 3rd September @ 8:00 pm
Peter Smith: Bradford 20-24 Castleford
No idea, really, but Bulls remain low on troops and Tigers will surely be better than they were last week.
Sam Cook: Bradford 38-32 Castleford
I’d like to think the Bulls can put on a show at Odsal for their final home game of the season but this is Castleford, the competition’s most unpredictable side. Maybe they still nick it, albeit in a high-scoring one.
Sam Brocksom: Bradford 20-14 Castleford
Bradford have home advantage, but are missing a number of key players. That being said, I think one last Odsal hoorah could spur them on to a final home win.
Toulouse Olympique v Hull FC – Friday, 4th September @ 6:00 pm
PS: Toulouse 30-22 Hull FC
Hull have picked up some good away wins of late and Toulouse’s form on their own turf isn’t great, but the French side have enough quality to finish their home campaign on a high.
SC: Toulouse 20-22 Hull FC
Hull only went to France a week or two back and they beat Catalans and they then came close to knocking off Warrington, so I’ll take the Black and Whites to land a possible upset here.
SB: Toulouse 30-16 Hull FC
I’d have backed Toulouse regardless of whether Olly Ashall-Bott played, but now he’s included, I expect another good win from the French side.
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants – Friday, 4th September @ 8:00 pm
PS: Hull KR 26-20 Huddersfield
This looked a formality a few weeks ago, but the sides’ form has gone in opposite directions since then; Hull KR need to win and that desperation might swing it for them.
SC: Hull KR 22-26 Huddersfield
Huddersfield are five from six and Hull KR have now lost their last three, including two at Craven Park. The Giants might add another win to their belt and spoil Willie Peters’ final home game.
SB: Hull KR 18-22 Huddersfield
Not only is time running out in Super League, but in this predictions competition as well, so it’s time to make some bold decisions. Huddersfield are in good form, and are more than capable of toppling a downbeat KR side.
Leigh Leopards v St Helens – Friday, 4th September @ 8:00 pm
PS: Leigh 22-18 St Helens
Must-win for both teams, but Leigh to bounce back from last week’s shock at Huddersfield and end Saints’ play-off hopes.
SC: Leigh 28-20 St Helens
Leigh got their blip out of the way last week and I expect them to be resurgent here against what will be a very game St Helens side.
SB: Leigh 30-10 St Helens
It was unlikely anyway, but after seeing the St Helens 21-man squad, I expect their play-off hopes to end here.
Wakefield Trinity v Warrington Wolves – Saturday, 5th September @ 3:00 pm
PS: Wakefield 24-20 Warrington
Another huge game which could go either way; Wakefield got back on track last week, and Warrington’s recent hectic schedule might take its toll.
SC: Wakefield 16-18 Warrington
Warrington picked up two pack injuries last week, and in a game against Wakefield, the pack is pivotal, but Trinity still don’t look convincing after their recent wobbles.
SB: Wakefield 8-20 Warrington
I’ve not seen anything from Wakefield to suggest they can handle the grind of playing against a top team, and with Warrington looking they won’t fall away, I’m backing them for another win to put the pressure on Leeds and Wigan.
Catalans Dragons v York Knights – Saturday, 5th September @ 6:00 pm
PS: Catalans 30-28 York
Home advantage will probably be the decisive factor in this one.
SC: Catalans 28-20 York
York will really attack this one, but I don’t quite think they’ll have enough.
SB: Catalans 12-24 York
Again, going with the underdog, and York to win on their first-ever trip to Perpignan.
Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors – Saturday, 5th September @ 8:00 pm
PS: Leeds 12-20 Wigan
Whenever I tip Rhinos to lose, they win, so…
SC: Leeds 14-26 Wigan
Wigan’s experience of big games, both historically and also in 2026, is far better, and I think that’s their edge.
SB: Leeds 18-24 Wigan
As mentioned on this week’s SARL Predictions Show, I think if it comes down to the final 10 minutes with the game hanging in the balance, Bevan French will be the man to make the difference, and that’s why I’m backing Wigan
Predictions Leaderboard:
1st: Sam Cook – 139 (+5)
2nd: Peter Smith – 138 (+4)
3rd: Sam Brocksom – 128 (+4)
