Super League final round results predicted with top spot still up for grabs
It’s the final round of regular Betfred Super League action on Friday with so much still up for grabs.
Three clubs - Wigan, Catalans and St Helens - could all still win the League Leaders’ Shield on the night, bringing back memories of the epic events of 2015 when Wigan, Leeds and Huddersfield were all battling it out for the trophy. But there’s also one last remaining play-offs spot up for grabs with Warrington, in sixth, and Salford, just behind on points difference, facing nervous times ahead to see who prevails in the chance to keep their race for the October 14 Grand Final alive.
Elsewhere, fourth-placed Leigh and fifth-placed Hull KR know they are safe. And they also know they will face each other in a play-off eliminator. But they could yet swap positions which, crucially, decides who gets home advantage for that knock-out tie. Here we have a look at the final round of games and what’s at stake in each:
Huddersfield (9) v Warrington (6)
It’s pressure-time for Warrington who are level on 26 points with seventh-placed Salford. They have a far better points difference than Salford (73 compared to minus seven) and, on paper, an easier last fixture than their rivals. But that means little. Wolves were top after winning the opening eight rounds but their fall has been spectacular. Huddersfield have nothing to play for other than pride (and pipping Leeds from eighth) but they’ll want to send the likes of Jermaine McGillvary off on a high and after walloping Hull at the weekend - admittedly, not the hardest of tasks - they’ll be confident of overcoming the fragile Wolves on home soil. Warrington will no doubt wheel out England captain George Williams even if his thigh strain isn’t 100 percent right; they need all their big guns to fire up. But I still think they’ll fall short - and leave them sweating on what’s happening over at Salford v Catalans.
Leeds (8) v Castleford (11)
The only dead rubber of the round but still an important fixture for both clubs. Leeds are in utter turmoil after being battered 50-0 at home to Wigan and then 61-0 at Catalans on Saturday. Rohan Smith will be desperately hoping his humiliated side can sign off on a positive. But Castleford, with coach Danny Ward having picked up two wins from his five games so far to save Tigers from relegation, will want a victory at the club where he won the 2004 Super League title to prove to the Castleford hierarchy he’s the man to take them forward next year. They always raise their game against their derby rivals and I’m going for his side to heap more misery on Rhinos.
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Leigh (4) v Wigan (1)
Sky Sports are expected to plump for this game as their live broadcast with in-form Wigan favourites to get the win which will seal them as League Leaders’ Shield victors. It’s hard to argue otherwise. Leigh were poor on Friday night when they needed Golden Point extra-time to defeat bottom-placed Wakefield. They’ll need influential captain John Asiata to return from injury if they are to have a decent chance of derailing derby rivals Wigan. But will boss Adrian Lam prefer to wrap him up in cotton wool for the elimination play-off against Hull KR, the team they beat at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final, on Friday September 29? Leigh also know they could concede fourth spot - and home advantage in that knock-out tie - if they lose against Wigan and fifth-placed Rovers (two points behind) win at relegated Trinity. It depends on points difference; Leigh are currently 34 points ahead of KR but that could easily swing given Wigan’s red-hot form and the fact the Robins are at a deflated Wakefield side still coming to terms with demotion. Regardless of that, expect Wigan to power on to a ninth straight Super League win and clinch top spot.
Salford (7) v Catalans (2)
This is perhaps the most intriguing game of all. Salford need to win to have any chance of sneaking into the play-offs having messed up their chance at Hull KR on Friday. With illness in the camp all last week, it was perhaps always likely they’d miss out there but can they dig deep for one last push? It will be difficult against a Catalans side still chasing down the League Leaders’ who utterly demolished Leeds at the weekend. But I’m going for them to spring a surprise - and clinch that last play-off spot at Warrington’s expense. That would also mean Catalans, long-time leaders in 2024, drop to third and miss out on an automatic play-off semi-final, ironically hosting Salford in an eliminator instead on Saturday September 30.
Catalans star Sam Tomkins (Richard Walker/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)St Helens (3) v Hull (9)
Can’t see anything other than a convincing Saints win, here. Hapless Hull are a shambles and have been sleepwalking to the end of the season for some time now. In contrast, Paul Wellens’ side have been quietly shifting through the gears, ominously looking like a side who will be at Old Trafford again lifting a fifth successive Super League title. Expect them to draw level with Wigan at the top but - given they have a 129 point difference to make up after their slow start to the year - it won’t be enough to retain the League Leaders’ Shield. They won’t mind: Old Trafford glory is the champions’ sole aim and finishing second means they get a week off.
Wakefield (12) v Hull KR (5)
It would be nice for Wakefield to end their 24-year stay in Super League with a win at Belle Vue but just can’t see it happening. Rovers will be desperate for the win - and a big one - to give themselves a chance of a play-off at Craven Park. I think, with a little help from rampant Wigan, they will rack up enough points here to overturn that Leigh tally and sneak fourth spot. That will be tough on the Leopards who have been top-four for most of the season. But with the Challenge Cup in the bag and still a great chance of progressing in the play-offs, it won’t be the end of the world for the team who so many tipped for relegation after their promotion.
Play-offs
Eliminator 1 - 4th place vs 5th place - Friday 29 September (Sky Sports)
Eliminator 2 - 3rd place vs 6th place - Saturday 30 September (Sky Sports & Channel 4)
Semi-Final 1 - 2nd place vs Highest place Eliminator winner - Friday 6 October (Sky Sports)
Semi-Final 2 - 1st place vs Lowest placed Eliminator winner - Saturday 7 October (Sky Sports & Channel 4)
*Should a game be played in France, this would occupy the Friday night slot, irrespective of rankings .
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Grand Final - Saturday October 14 (Sky Sports)
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