Friday, 05 March 2010
Bradford v Wigan, 20:00
This weekend’s fixtures open with arguably the biggest match of round 5. Early pace-setters Wigan take on a resurgent Bradford side who are looking for their third win in a row.
Much of the hype this week has revolved around the forthcoming tussle between the half backs. The Bulls have one of finest half's in the game in Matt Orford and he is promising to out play Wigan's Paul Deacon, a player who spent twelve years at Bradford.
Whilst both half backs will go into the game with a point to prove, this match will be decided on who can take their chances better. Both sides have big, strong packs and an array of talent in the backs. Wigan though look the more dangerous. So far this season they have been scoring for fun and with Amos Roberts and Pat Richards on fine form, it is hard to see anything other than Wigan maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
Sport.co.uk predicts a tough battle with Wigan running away with it in the last quarter. Wigan by 14
Hull v Castleford, 20:00
When the fixture list was announced it looked as though Castleford would be in for a tough time of things. A great opening weekend victory against the champions aside, these predictions have proved correct, and with a growing injury list that sees Brett Ferres join Dean Widders and Richard Owen on the sidelines it is hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel for the Tigers.
Hull on the other hand have had a easier start to the season but Castleford can take some comfort in the fact that it has been against the lesser teams where FC have been caught out. Hull are largely unchanged from last week which means they are again without captain Sean Long. They do recall Jordan Tansey to the squad though after the full back completed a one match ban for breaching club discipline.
The Tigers always perform well in the face of adversity and with the likes of Rangi Chase and Ryan Hudson still surprising teams they could catch FC cold. However following arguably the toughest start to the season for any team the Tigers may begin to suffer from fatigue and following a close defeat last week to FC's neighbours Hull KR are bound to be low on confidence. With Hull's old faithful cheering them on expect a Hull victory in this one.
Sport.co.uk predicts a Hull win by 20
Leeds v Harlequins, 20:00
Following on from their World Club Challenge defeat last week the Rhinos return to Super League action in what could prove to be another banana skin for them.
Influential skipper Kevin Sinfield is set to join winger Scott Donald on the sidelines after suffering a dead leg against Melbourne. This has led to a surprise call up for academy prospect and part time plumber Tom Bush. The rest of the Rhinos team that played last week are named in the initial squad but coach Brian Mclennan could rotate some of his forwards to avoid fatigue getting the better of them.
The Quins will fancy their chances in this one and include new loan signing Kyle Bibb in their squad and in full back Ben Jones Bishop, a player on a season long loan from Leeds, they will have someone desperate to get one over his home town club.
The Rhinos will be drained from last week and the atrocious state of the Headingly pitch will sap their energy further which will make for a close match. In reality though this is a game the Rhinos must win to keep their season on track.
Sport.co.uk predicts a tough encounter with Rhinos grinding out a win by 10
Salford v Catalans Dragons, 20:00
The only two teams without a win this season take centre stage on Friday with both teams desperate to get off the bottom of the table and prove they are more than just this year’s whipping boys.
Salford are able to recall half back Matty Smith which will give them an attacking edge they were sorely missing last week against the Bulls. They are however still light in the forwards with prop Ray Cashmere again sidelined with a calf injury.
The Dragons have captain Oliver Elima back in their squad after completing a one match suspension but coach Kevin Walters is still unable to call up star player Thomas Bosc due to his ankle injury taking longer than expected to heal.
Out of the two it will be Salford who will go into the match believing they have been the more unlucky to not register their first win this season but the Dragons have a fearsome pack that the Reds will struggle to control. Overall Catalans have better quality in their team and on the back of a good show by their forwards they should gain a comfortable victory.
Sport.co.uk predict a Catalans win by 18
Saturday, 06 March 2010
Wakefield v Huddersfield, 17:45
Saturday’s West Yorkshire derby looks set to be a close encounter as both teams look to maintain their assault on a top four finish. Wakefield, although beaten by St Helens last week, are looking like a strong unit this year and with Danny Brough being the stand out player of the Super League so far they have a player that can win them a match single handedly.
Huddersfield will be without their own star player as 2009 Man of Steel Brett Hodgson faces up to four weeks on the sidelines following ankle ligament damage. It will fall to the likes of Luke Robinson and Shaun Lunt to make up for Hodgson's absence but whether they will have the quality to guide them to victory depends on how well the Giants pack performs.
Huddersfield have been clinical and very impressive already this season but like many this year could get caught out by a Wildcats team that is looking better than ever. It will be a close encounter this one, perhaps decided by a successful conversion or the penalty count.
Sport.co.uk says in a game so close to call you have to put your money on Danny Brough kicking the Wildcats to victory. Wakefield by 4
Sunday, 07 March 2010
Hull KR v St Helens, 15:00
When Hull KR got promoted to Super League only a few years back few would have predicted how well they would perform. It was though, a double over Sunday's opponents St Helens last year that really made people sit up and take note of how good a team KR are.
KR go into the game in somewhat inconsistent form. Their victory over Castleford last week will have restored their confidence but they will be looking at this game as a real chance to prove they should be classed as one of the best teams in the league. In Micheal Dobson they have a classy half back who knows how to penetrate defences and with a near fully fit squad they will be looking to push St Helens all the way.
For many the departure of Sean Long signaled an impending demise for St Helens, but with three wins out of four and Long's replacement Kyle Eastmond looking like the hottest property in rugby at the moment, it’s hard to see St Helens slipping off the pace this year.
Sport.co.uk predicts a game almost too close to call, this could be Super League's first draw of the season but home advantage may just steer KR home. Hull KR by 6
Warrington v Crusaders, 15:00
The start of the season saw a lot of predictions for these two teams. Following some big money signings and coach Tony Smith's decision to leave the England coaching role to concentrate full time on his job at Warrington many saw the Wolves as genuine title contenders. Crusaders on the other hand were all but written off. Four games into the season it looks like Warrington are meeting expectations with only one defeat but its the surprise victories over Hull FC and Salford for the Crusaders that have grabbed the headlines.
Coach Brian Noble is doing a fantastic job over in Wrexham and he will be drumming into his players that they can push on for a third victory this season. And with a big name signing looking close to completion the Crusaders will certainly be looking to impress, but expect this game to follow early season predictions.
Warrington have an array of talent right across the pitch and they will be looking to register a big score this week to really make their mark on Super League. They may still be without stalwart Lee Briers but with Richie Myler and Michael Monaghan playing well they will be too much of a handful for the Crusaders. If the Crusaders get off to a good start this could be a closer game than expected but Tony Smith will be looking for his players to really show their talent this week.
Sports.co.uk predicts a home win, and a big one at that. Warrington by 30