After the excitement of Magic weekend and the drama of the Challenge Cup, Super League returns with all to play for at the top and bottom of the table.
Leeds v Wakefield, Friday 19:45
Leeds will be looking to ease away from the foot of Super League when they take on Wakefield on Friday night with the Rhinos just two points off the foot of the table.
A vital win over the London Broncos at Magic Weekend two weeks ago gave them a little breathing space over their fellow relegation candidates but they know that a defeat against Trinity will see them sucked back into the danger zone should others around them pick-up points.
Their hard-fought 24-22 win at Anfield was just the Rhinos’ second win in six games in what has been a poor season for the Yorkshiremen, who have picked up only 10 points all year but they will at least be boosted by the return of Tonga internationals Konrad Hurrell and Tui Lolohea after hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, while back-rower Brett Ferres also returns after a knee problem.
In terms of form, Wakefield come into this one on a pretty wretched run of results having lost their previous three matches including a defeat to Catalans Dragons at Anfield over Magic Weekend, though prop David Fifita is back in contention after an ankle injury picked up in that loss.
On-loan Salford centre Junior Sa’u is also restored after he was cup-tied for the Challenge Cup defeat by St Helens last weekend with Chris Cheter’s men looking to snap a streak of three losses on the bounce which including that cup exit and defeats to Catalans and London in Super League.
Leeds to beat Wakefield at 2.50*
Hull FC v Salford, Friday 19:45
Hull face Salford on Friday night having demolished Catalans Dragons 51-8 last week in the Challenge Cup and will be looking to continue that great form in Super League as they look to keep tabs on the top-three.
They have been victorious in three of their last five Super League games, though were thrashed by Huddersfield at Anfield, meaning they currently sit fourth in the table, just two points behind the side they demolished in the cup last week and will look to take advantage of a Salford team who have struggled of late.
Andre Savelio and Josh Bowden retain their places in Hull’s 19-man squad for the game against Salford while Lee Radford makes just one change to the side that beat Catalans last week as Joe Westerman replaces the injured Taylor.
As for the Red Devils, they come into this one on the back of three straight losses, a run which has seen them drop down to seventh in the table, though two points here would see them close the gap on the play-off hopefuls above them.
Salford coach Ian Watson makes just one change to the side that lost to Hull KR at Magic Weekend two weeks ago with winger Greg Johnson set to make a return from a long-term injury lay-off as he replaces Derrell Olpherts in the line-up.
Salford to beat Hull at 3.05*
Warrington v Catalans, Saturday 15:15
It’s a clash of the in form team on Saturday with second-place Warrington hosting Catalans Dragons with two of Super League’s best performing sides going head-to-head as they look to consolidate a playoff position.
The Wolves currently sit second in Super League, six points behind runaway leaders St Helens, but have managed to keep in touch thanks to a run of five wins from six including their Challenge Cup victory over Hull KR.
Catalans Dragons ensured it would be three wins from the spin when they survived a late scare against Wakefield at Magic Weekend and will have post-season ambitions of their own, a run which has lifted them to third in the table and moved them just four points behind Warrington.
Catalans to beat Warrington 4.25*
*Odds subject to change
