It's only round seven in the Super League and already we are seeing why this competition is being regarded as the closest season yet. Every team has been beaten, and every team has won, the Crusaders are making headlines for all the right reasons, and the current champions aren't having it all their way with three defeats so far. Sport.co.uk takes a look at this weeks matches and how the teams will fair.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Crusaders v Catalans Dragons, 20:00
Fridays game will see, for only the third time in Super League history, two teams lock horns that are based outside of England, and it has all the makings of a classic. It's a bottom of the table clash which will make for a tense game and the Crusaders are giving former welsh rugby union legend Gareth Thomas his debut, so expect the Racecourse ground to be packed to the rafters.
Catalans have, since their inception to the league, shown that the expansion of the Super League beyond its northern headquarters is possible. They have been to Wembley and last year were unlucky to not reach the grand final. They are however, notoriously slow starters to the campaign and this year has been no different. They have been plagued by injuries, which hasn't helped, and this week free scoring full-back Clint Greenshields and unsettled Adam Mogg miss out.
Coach Brian Noble will have his Crusaders team well up for this match. With an eager Thomas looking to make his mark out on the wing and a partisan crowd, the Welsh outfit have a real chance to gain their third victory of the season.
Sport.co.uk predicts a free flowing game that will be a great advert for the European Super League. Crusaders to take this game by 10.
Hull v Bradford, 20:00
Hull and Bradford are two clubs with high expectations but in the last few years have been little more than also rans. In response both teams made some big name signings in the off season and after six games we are starting to get an indicator as to how well these teams will perform this year.
Hull have arguably the best forward in the league at the moment in Craig Fitzgibbon, but its really the signing of influential half back Sean Long thats helping Hull become title challengers. He is opening up defences and with stand off Richard Horne also racking up the tries Hull pose a real attacking threat.
Bradford's own new star half back pairing are finding it a little harder adapting to their new team. Despite good performances from Matt Orford and Brett Kearny the Bulls still haven't quite got going. The addition of Michael Platt to this weeks squad will add some speed in attack but expect Bradford to come away empty handed in this one.
Sports.co.uk says both teams have made good signings but Bradford still look light after losing key players in the off season. Hull by 16
Leeds v Hull KR, 20:00
When it was announced this week that Leeds' Kallum Watkins would be out for the season a bad start to the league for the Rhinos began to look a bit like a crisis. Watkins joins long term absentees Scott Donald, Carl Ablett and Greg Eastwood on the sidelines but its not just the injuries that is proving to be Leeds' downfall this year. Their attack has not been as clinical and the air of invincibility was certainly blown away last week after Huddersfield finally gained only their second ever Super League victory over them.
Hull KR have had their own frustrating start to the season. They haven't managed to string a few wins together and after a fine win over St Helens last weeks defeat at the hands of Wakefield will remind the KR fans they aren't up to speed yet.
KR will welcome back stand off Chaz I'anson and Leeds could have skipper Kevin Sinfield back, pending a fitness test on the day but look set to give centre Michael Coady his debut.
Leeds haven't won a Yorkshire derby all season and the Headingly pitch is still like a turnip field so it could be a low scoring event. The Rhinos are looking at this game to kick-start their season so KR will have to be on their best form. If they can keep the Rhinos at bay there could be another upset on the cards.
Sports.co.uk Rhinos by 14
St Helens v Warrington, 20:00
This game has all the making of a classic. Both of these local rivals go into the game in fine form, either could go top with a win and there is always an edge to this fixture due to St Helens boasting victories in the previous 18 matches at home against the Wolves.
Saints Coach Mick Potter has a full squad to choose from with talisman Paul Wellens and fellow backs Matt Gidley and Si Soliola all fit following injuries. Warrington play-maker Lee Briers would have been chomping at the bit to get one over his old team but he remains on the injury list. Aside from that Warrington coach Tony Smith can pick from a squad firing on all cylinders with full-back Richie Mathers likely to return after missing out last week.
Can the Wolves finally break their Knowsely Road hoodoo? Well, its their last chance due to St Helens moving to a new ground next year and their team has never looked so promising. But with a fully fit Saints team and that record they can only defend one last time its hard to see the Wolves winning this.
Sports.co.uk predicts a close run match but we will go with history on this one. Saints by 6
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Harlequins v Huddersfield, 17:45
When Quins Coach Brian McDermott said before the start of the season that it may take up to ten games for his team to get up to speed the fans must have been expecting a tough start. But when Salford gained victory last week over them, sending them to the bottom of the league, the fans must now be hoping the improvment begins sooner rather than later.
The Quins, who will make one change to their squad with prop karl Temata missing out, get their chance this week against a Huddersfield side high on confidence and looking to build on a strong start to the season. Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown has the added bonus of being able to call up reigning Man of Steel Brett Hodgson after recovering from an ankle injury.
Brian McDermott will not be pleased with his sides current position and will be desperate for a win but against a near full strength Giants team it will be hard to see Quins even getting off the scoreboard.
Sports.co.uk predicts after this match the Quins fans will be praying for round eleven. Huddersfield by 26
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Castleford v Wigan, 15:30
Despite losing four of their opening six fixtures the Castleford fans can't be too unhappy with how their team has performed this year. They've had a hard run of fixtures but quality players have emerged and they still have that victory at their arch nemesis Leeds fresh in the memory. Where Castleford have fallen down is they haven't maintained their concentration for the full eighty minutes and have made mistakes that have cost them matches.
The Tigers will go into this game assured that any mistakes will be punished by a Wigan team currently scoring for fun.
Wigan are top of the league and highest scorers at that. They have brushed teams aside this year in a way that is reminisicent of the great team of the early ninties and will go into this game in the knowledge that a victory will widen the gap between them and their closest rivals at the top of the league.
The Tigers can't afford to be anything but at their best on sunday, they have class players in Rangi Chase and Joe Westerman and are a bit of a bogey side for the Warriors, but if Wigan get a chance they will take it.
Sports.co.uk says Wigan by 14
Wakefield v Salford, 15:30
In the last few years Wakefield have traditionally got off to a good start to the season but have struggled to maintain the consistency that will get them into the top four throughout the year. So when Huddersfield put fifty past them a couple of weeks ago we may have been forgiven for thinking same old Wakefield. Their victory against Hull KR last week though was a huge upset and one that puts them joint third in the league.
Salford themselves have raised a few eyebrows this year after putting in strong performances against Leeds and Bradford but it was the victory that lifted them off the bottom of the league last week that has finally got the Reds' season underway. They will be keen to kick on and push up the league and against an unsettled Wakefield side they will fancy their chances.
There's been talk this week of star player Danny Brough signing for Huddersfield, which would be a huge loss to the Wildcats, but while they still have him directing proceedings they will continue to tot up the victories.
Sport.co.uk predicts Wakefield by 22