Friday, 26 February 2010
Hull v Harlequins, 20:00
Following on from last week’s shock defeat to Super League new boys Crusaders, Hull ring the changes for the visit of the Harlequins. Winger Mark Calderwood is welcomed back, as is goal kicker Danny Tickle but Sean Long is again absent and there is a surprising omission of Jordan Tansey.
For the Quins Danny Ward and Chad Randell are available for recall after missing last week’s match with World Club Championship contenders Melbourne Storm.
There’s no doubt the Quins will have taken something from their match against the NRL champs and a previous victory against the Catalans Dragons but the defeat to Crusaders last week will have been a huge wake up call for Hull. The team and the fans will be expecting to bounce back quickly and a victory over the Londoners will be expected.
Sport.co.uk prediction: Hull to win by 16
Salford v Bradford, 20:00
With three defeats from three, Salford find themselves in the all too familiar position of propping up the Super League table. This week they face a Bradford side who, whilst struggling in earlier rounds, hit top form last week in their demolition of a poor Castleford side.
It may seem that this match is a foregone conclusion but this Salford team is still finding its feet. Salford have recruited well and their current standing in the league is somewhat misleading. They were close to getting a result at Leeds last week and with class players like Steven Ratchford and stalwarts Karl Fitzpatrick and Malcolm Alker they have a quality that is bound to catch teams out this year.
If Salford can contain the Bradford half pairing of Matt Orford and Brett Kearny they will have a chance. They will have to ride their luck but there could surprise in this one
Sport.co.uk prediction: Salford to win by by 8
St Helens v Wakefield, 20:00
Those who have tipped this year’s season as being the closest yet will have the chance to gage how accurate their prediction will be this Friday. St Helens, one of Super Leagues most successful sides, will play a Wakefield team who sit top of the table following a fine series of victories including a comfortable win over champions Leeds.
St Helens can expect veteran hooker Keiren Cunningham back in the team but John Wilkin and Chris Flannery are out, along with long term absentee Ade Gardner. Wakefield can expect to welcome back winger Damien Blanch and see 20-year-old James Davey come in, following the departure of Terry Newton.
Wakefield head into this match fully rested and eager to stay top of the league, they will though, have to be at their best to stand a chance in this one. Saints are following on from two fine victories and with influential half back Kyle Eastmond getting better and better, expect St Helens to run out easy victors.
Sport.co.uk prediction: St Helens to win by by 14
Wigan v Catalans Dragons 20:00
Fresh from their nail biting victory over Warrington last weekend Wigan go into this game high on confidence and looking to establish themselves at the top of the league.
The Catalans on the other hand have struggled in their opening fixtures. Still missing influential half back Thomas Bosc the Dragons will also be without Captain Oliver Elima who serves a ban following his sending off last week.
The Wigan pack have looked strong this year and expect them to overpower a Catalans side who will find it hard without their two key players. Wigan's attack has been winning them the games this year and it’s likely that Amos Roberts will bag himself a few more in this one.
Sport.co.uk prediction: Wigan to win by 20
Saturday 27 February 2010
Castleford v Hull KR, 18:15
Both teams will have started with ambitions of breaking into the top four this year. But despite stunning opening day displays from the pair neither have registered further victories and go into this Saturday’s game needing a win that will keep them in the right half of the league.
Whilst Castleford have lost Richard Owen through injury they do go into the game boosted by the surprise on-loan signing of Wigan flyer Sean Ainscough. Hull KR go into the game parading their own debutant in Australian prop Joel Clinton and will expect to be at full strength. KR will be looking to prove a point following a heavy defeat last week but expect the points to go to the home team. Castleford have been the more unlucky of the two in the previous rounds and will be targeting a victory at HQ to secure their league position.
Sport.co.uk prediction: Castleford to win by by 12
Sunday 28 February 2010
Huddersfield v Warrington 15:00
In arguably the biggest game of the week, Sunday’s match at the Galpharm sees two of the teams harboring ambitions of a top two finish face off. Huddersfield were the surprise team last year and have continued good form into this season which culminated in a 30-0 victory over Hull KR on their turf last week. They go into the game with no new injury worries.
After making some huge signings Warrington are expecting big things this year. The Wolves have started the season well and England prospect Richie Myler is indeed showing the skills that justified his price tag. Whilst they have won two games out of three, it is worrying to see that as soon as scrum half Lee Briers went off injured last week the game turned against Warrington. His absence this week will no doubt have an impact on his teams attack but coach Tony Smith would like to think he has enough good players to fill in and will be pushing for victory in this one. It will be close.
Sport.co.uk prediction: Huddersfield to win by by 6