A plethora of prediction – the end is nigh
Well ladies and gents I am off on holiday – how lucky I am. Off for a week in the sun from Monday, which means that by the time I get back all of the play off places will be decided. But I won’t leave you guessing, instead you can have my two weekends worth of predictions today!
This weekend
Leeds 20 – 10 Wakefield – In all honesty I don’t see much happening for Wakey here, there isn’t much to play for, unless you count the pride in avoiding the wooden spoon and does that really matter?
St Helens 32 – 8 Salford – Another game that now leaves you asking what have Salford got left to play for, they’re on a terrible run of form and have no hope of qualifying for the play offs. Saints on the other hand will be wanting to make sure there is no chance of Huddersfield stealing third from them.
Catalan 18 – 8 Hull KR – Bit of a change and everything to play for here, Catalan are a point from fourth and a home play off game and Hull KR are a point behind Hull and a play off place. Had the game been in Hull I think KR fans might have been a bit more hopeful but in France Catalan have had an impressive run of home form and may not run away with it but should win.
Castleford 12 – 18 Hull – A win for Hull here would see them leap frog Cas and secure a play off spot and in return leaving Cas still within reach of Hull KR. It’ll likely be close and tough but I’m leaning towards the visitors to win.
Huddersfield 32 – 6 Harlequins – Quins have grabbed enough wins to take themselves out of wooden spoon contention, although a 12th place finish is an astronomical drop from how they started the season. The giants have spluttered and stalled trying to pick up some momentum after a bit of a mid season lull saw them drop off from the top two and they’ll be looking to this game to get the ball rolling towards the play offs.
Warrington 12 – 20 Wigan – Finishing top may not mean that much in the era of the playoffs but there is still a bit of pride and a big plate for the winners. Warrington may have had a week off last week but I doubt the extra weekend at work will faze Wigan. I’d be very surprised to see high scoring Warrington running through Wigan’s defence with the ease they have in some games this season and I think Wigan will shut them down effectively and take the top spot.
Bradford 18 – 20 Crusaders – The Crusaders have had a resurgence these past few weeks playing for pride and there’ll be wanting to put a bit of space between them and bottom placed Wakefield. A little bit more impetus than Bradford who must surely be happy to call time on another disappointing season – Crusaders win.
And that would leave us with a final week table looking like this.
Wigan 43
Warrington 40
Saints 35
Huddersfield 32
Catalan 32
Leeds 29
Hull FC 27
Cas 26
Hull KR 24
Salford 20
Bradford 18
Quins 13
Crusaders 10
Wakefield 8
Not much left to play for, a home draw for Catalan or Huddersfield and a play off place within reach of Hull KR who have a much better points difference than Cas. And so I’m tipping the last week as follows.
Next week
Hull FC 10 – 32 Warrington – If it is the case that Warrington have lost the top spot by this time then I expect them to be fully focused on a charge for the play off final and what better way than taking apart Hull at Hull.
Wigan 40 – 8 Crusaders – Playing for all the pride in the world is unlikely to help Crusaders against Wigan, even if top spot is all wrapped up Wigan are too ruthless and professional to sit back and relax against the visiting Welshmen.
Harlequins 8 – 32 Saints – Another game with little resting on it except a good run into the play offs for Saints. I imagine Quins will see out the season with a whimper rather than the dominant victory they recorded in the reverse match early in the season.
Huddersfield 10 – 8 Leeds – Whilst there’s more to play for in Huddersfield I’ve lost a little of my belief in their performances over the past month or so and don’t think they’ll put much space between them and Leeds, but just enough to secure that fourth spot.
Hull KR 20 – 10 Castleford – Probably the biggest game of the weekend provided KR are still in reach of the play offs and Cas are still vulnerable. A direct shoot out for 8th and I think KR are more than capable of snatching it from Cas.
Salford 22 – 30 Catalan – Kicking off at the same time as Huddersfield, Catalan will still have fourth place within their grasp and I expect them to get a victory at Salford to give themselves every chance of grabbing it.
Wakefield 20 – 26 Bradford – I wouldn’t expect much here, expect possibly confirmation of Wakefield finishing bottom. Bradford to take the points though.
So there you go, as you can see I’m pretty much leaning towards teams who need to get something from the games. But aside from Wakey finishing bottom it would leave a top 8 of
Wigan
Warrington
Saints
Hudderfield
Catalan
Leeds
Hull
Hull KR
We shall see, I’ll be eagerly opening the newspaper when I land back home.
I’ll be back for the play offs but remember that all our competitions – fantasy rugby league and tipping – end with the regular season, good luck to you all.