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SUPERLEAGUE" MADNESS WEEKEND" ROUNDS 8 & 9 PREVIEW
TheEdge949
Member Posts: 5,686
The Easter weekend is a true mecca for rugby league fans as its back to back fixtures which often sees some crazy results.
Round 8
CATALANS V TOLOUSE
History is made as the first all French Superleague clash takes place in Perpignon. Form and stats provide little encouragement for Toulouse, although you have to wonder how far energy and enthusiasm can take them against their illustrious opponents.
CATALANS by 12+
WAKEFIELD V CASTLEFORD
THE only real derby outside of Hull sees Cas cross the City to take on a very decent Wakefield who will fancy their chances of notching a rare victory over their bitter rivals. Cas meanwhile are still struggling to find form although the green shoots of recovery are starting to show.
Heart says CAS by 8, head says WAKEFIELD by 10. You decide.
LEEDS V HUDDERSFIELD
What to say about Leeds, awful would sum it up pretty nicely, so would inept, dire, pitiful and clueless. Huddersfield meanwhile continue to impress with some eye catching performances. Leeds have to improve soon, just don't think it will be enough here.
HUDDERSFIELD by 12
WARRINGTON V SALFORD
Warrington new head coach Daryll Powell must be wondering what he walked into as all the early season hype and promise has gone. Struggling for any form and leaking points Warrington face a Salford side who must quietly fancy this. Salford themselves can't seem to decide on which team turns up and that's the beauty of this tie. I expect Warrington to come good but it will be close.
WARRINGTON by 6 - 8
HULL K R V HULL F C
THE only real derby outside of the City of Wakefield sees what may well be a clash for the ages as both teams are playing well and will be eager to get at one another. The atmosphere will be electric and it could well be the team that can control the emotion that take the victory. Both are so equal in terms of playing ability that this could even come down to a golden point.
HULL F C by 2
SAINT HELENS V WIGAN
The derby that isn't a derby ( bit like El Classico ) and a clash of the Titans. For all the hype and the expectancy that Sky will devote to this, it's best to look at it for what it is. Can Wigan go to Saints and win? Yes they can, but I doubt they will. Saints are by far the best team in the competition and Wigan will not enjoy the same amount of space that they have up til now. Wigan will give it a good go but Saints should see them off.
SAINT HELENS by 10
SO its a very quick turnaround and a full fixture list on the Holiday Monday which usually accounts for some real upsets. With little to go on regarding injuries, suspensions and the mental effects of the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday results these picks will be based on information known now.
Round 9
CASTLEFORD V LEEDS
Cas aren't very good at the moment, Leeds are worse and got a hiding from Cas in the cup. Cas' 2nd big "derby" game on the bounce and hopefully another nail in the coffin of Leeds season, although should Cas have won at Wakey they might have left it all out there.
CAS
HUDDERSFIELD V SAINT HELENS
To be honest this isn't the game you want after playing Wigan and whilst a lot will depend on whos fit and who isn't I can see Huddersfield pulling off a win here.
HUDDERSFIELD
SALFORD V CATALANS
An emotion filled French derby followed by a Bank Holiday flight to Manchester isn't the best preparation for this one and could represent Salfords best chance of a win. Usually here I'd back Catalans but it's one of those anomolies.
SALFORD
TOULOUSE V HULL KR
Another intriguing clash as KR will travel almost immediately after what will have been an epic derby against Hull. Toulouse meanwhile will be riding the wave of emotion following a historic encounter with Catalans and may well find their second win of the season.
TOULOUSE
WIGAN V WAKEFIELD
As good as Wakefield have been so fat this season it's difficult to look past a Wigan side who will either be flying high or smarting and desperate to get the win.
WIGAN
HULL FC V WARRINGTON
If you were a Hull fan you would take a win against KR and accept a loss to Warrington and that may be Warringtons best chance of winning here. I think Hull are the better team but worry that they put everything into Fridays clash and just can't recover in time. If they can and do I expect another tough night for Powells men.
HULL
There we go, it's all just guesswork and a bit of fun really. My aim is to be better than 50% over the season.
If you have a chance, take in a game.
Have a brilliant Holiday weekend and speak next Tuesday / Wednesday
Mark
Round 8
CATALANS V TOLOUSE
History is made as the first all French Superleague clash takes place in Perpignon. Form and stats provide little encouragement for Toulouse, although you have to wonder how far energy and enthusiasm can take them against their illustrious opponents.
CATALANS by 12+
WAKEFIELD V CASTLEFORD
THE only real derby outside of Hull sees Cas cross the City to take on a very decent Wakefield who will fancy their chances of notching a rare victory over their bitter rivals. Cas meanwhile are still struggling to find form although the green shoots of recovery are starting to show.
Heart says CAS by 8, head says WAKEFIELD by 10. You decide.
LEEDS V HUDDERSFIELD
What to say about Leeds, awful would sum it up pretty nicely, so would inept, dire, pitiful and clueless. Huddersfield meanwhile continue to impress with some eye catching performances. Leeds have to improve soon, just don't think it will be enough here.
HUDDERSFIELD by 12
WARRINGTON V SALFORD
Warrington new head coach Daryll Powell must be wondering what he walked into as all the early season hype and promise has gone. Struggling for any form and leaking points Warrington face a Salford side who must quietly fancy this. Salford themselves can't seem to decide on which team turns up and that's the beauty of this tie. I expect Warrington to come good but it will be close.
WARRINGTON by 6 - 8
HULL K R V HULL F C
THE only real derby outside of the City of Wakefield sees what may well be a clash for the ages as both teams are playing well and will be eager to get at one another. The atmosphere will be electric and it could well be the team that can control the emotion that take the victory. Both are so equal in terms of playing ability that this could even come down to a golden point.
HULL F C by 2
SAINT HELENS V WIGAN
The derby that isn't a derby ( bit like El Classico ) and a clash of the Titans. For all the hype and the expectancy that Sky will devote to this, it's best to look at it for what it is. Can Wigan go to Saints and win? Yes they can, but I doubt they will. Saints are by far the best team in the competition and Wigan will not enjoy the same amount of space that they have up til now. Wigan will give it a good go but Saints should see them off.
SAINT HELENS by 10
SO its a very quick turnaround and a full fixture list on the Holiday Monday which usually accounts for some real upsets. With little to go on regarding injuries, suspensions and the mental effects of the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday results these picks will be based on information known now.
Round 9
CASTLEFORD V LEEDS
Cas aren't very good at the moment, Leeds are worse and got a hiding from Cas in the cup. Cas' 2nd big "derby" game on the bounce and hopefully another nail in the coffin of Leeds season, although should Cas have won at Wakey they might have left it all out there.
CAS
HUDDERSFIELD V SAINT HELENS
To be honest this isn't the game you want after playing Wigan and whilst a lot will depend on whos fit and who isn't I can see Huddersfield pulling off a win here.
HUDDERSFIELD
SALFORD V CATALANS
An emotion filled French derby followed by a Bank Holiday flight to Manchester isn't the best preparation for this one and could represent Salfords best chance of a win. Usually here I'd back Catalans but it's one of those anomolies.
SALFORD
TOULOUSE V HULL KR
Another intriguing clash as KR will travel almost immediately after what will have been an epic derby against Hull. Toulouse meanwhile will be riding the wave of emotion following a historic encounter with Catalans and may well find their second win of the season.
TOULOUSE
WIGAN V WAKEFIELD
As good as Wakefield have been so fat this season it's difficult to look past a Wigan side who will either be flying high or smarting and desperate to get the win.
WIGAN
HULL FC V WARRINGTON
If you were a Hull fan you would take a win against KR and accept a loss to Warrington and that may be Warringtons best chance of winning here. I think Hull are the better team but worry that they put everything into Fridays clash and just can't recover in time. If they can and do I expect another tough night for Powells men.
HULL
There we go, it's all just guesswork and a bit of fun really. My aim is to be better than 50% over the season.
If you have a chance, take in a game.
Have a brilliant Holiday weekend and speak next Tuesday / Wednesday
Mark
Comments
Wigan have one outstanding player in Jai Field, my M.O.S candidate based on early season, but, Saints have several and that's probably the difference.
Give Matt Peet a couple of seasons and Wigan could again be G.F. winners but not yet.
I think Wigan are on an upward trajectory, and the glory days could soon return. But, for me, probably 3rd or 4th this season. And St Helens should be 1st or 2nd. I'd agree Saints are favourites there.
Which forecasts would I disagree with?
Round 8. Think Leeds may win.
Round 9. St Helens, Catalans and Hull KR.
Round 9 is all about who emerges from round 8 with 17 fit players capable of playing a full 80 minutes. I think RL's Easter programme is possibly one of professional sports toughest challenges. Couple that with the fact that 4 of the 6 round 8 games are huge grudge derby type fixtures with everything that entails and is it any wonder round 9 sees some real oddities ?.