Super League preview: Expect fireworks as Saints host Wigan
Super League fans are set for another action-packed weekend, with some hugely important matches scheduled for week 22 of the season.
The standout game is on Friday as league leaders St Helens take on old rivals Wigan Warriors at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Saints currently lead the standings by eight points having lost just twice this season and are fully expected to claim the League Leaders’ Shield. Read on as we assess this weekend’s fixtures.
Saints fancied to keep rolling
St Helens demolished third-placed Hull FC last weekend and are now priced at 2.00 in the Super League Odds by BetEasy to win the Grand Final.
Saints have reeled off four victories in a row since being surprisingly beaten by London Broncos back in June and are odds-on favourites to defeat Wigan on Friday.
The Warriors drubbed Hull Kingston Rovers in their most recent outing and are now undefeated in their last five matches.
However, Saints won 36-10 at Wigan earlier in the season and should complete the double in what promises to be a fiery encounter.
Wolves on track to claim second spot
Warrington Wolves’ 36-6 victory at London Broncos on Saturday moved them six points clear of Hull FC in the race to finish second.
Steve Price’s side will fancy their chances of following up on Friday as they welcome Salford Red Devils to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Salford were poor defensively last Thursday as they slipped to a disappointing 36-18 home defeat against Huddersfield Giants.
The Red Devils triumphed 36-12 at Warrington earlier in the season, but it would be a surprise to see a similar outcome this weekend.
Powell bullish despite Castleford’s troubles
Daryl Powell has insisted Castleford can still win silverware despite his team’s troubles during the current campaign.
The Tigers were beaten 18-10 by lowly Leeds Rhinos last weekend and are now in danger of dropping out of the top half of the table.
Powell’s side visit Wakefield Trinity on Friday knowing that a defeat would seriously harm their chances of finishing in the top five this term.
Wakefield have gone off the boil over the last few weeks, winning just one of their last eight matches, and they can ill-afford another reverse against Castleford.
All to play for in race for top five
Hull FC and Catalans Dragons will be keen to hit some form over the next few weeks as they battle to claim a place in the play-offs.
Just six points separate third-placed Hull from Wakefield in eighth, highlighting the importance of stringing some wins together.
Hull should beat bottom-of-the-table London on Friday, but Catalans may find things difficult on the same evening against a Huddersfield side battling to avoid relegation.
With Leeds, who host Hull KR on Thursday, just six points behind fifth place, there is still plenty to play for in the race for the top five.