Thursday 5 September 2013 14:16, UK
Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor go head-to-head with their Super League predictions...
| Round | Barrie | Terry |
| Round 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Round 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Round 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Round 4 | 1 | 6 |
| Round 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Round 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Round 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Round 8 | 5 | 7 |
| Round 9 | 4 | 5 |
| Round 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Round 11 | 6 | 7 |
| Round 12 | 7 | 5 |
| Round 13 | 7 | 5 |
| Round 14 | 8 | 7 |
| Round 15 | 8 | 7 |
| Round 16 | 6 | 6 |
| Round 17 | 5 | 7 |
| Round 18 | 8 | 5 |
| Round 19 | 5 | 5 |
| Round 20 | 3 | 6 |
| Round 21 | 6 | 11 |
| Round 22 | 5 | 8 |
| Round 23 | 10 | 8 |
| Round 24 | 5 | 8 |
| Round 25 | 4 | 3 |
| Round 26 | 8 | 6 |
| Total | 147 | 155 |
Barrie says: These two teams will be sizing each other up as surely they must be thinking they will each be in the final themselves? They both want to finish in third spot and their opponents in the first round of the play-offs will be decided on this game; the winner will play Warrington and the loser will play Huddersfield. The Rhinos aren't firing on all cylinders just yet but are not far off it and the return of experienced players like Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will be a big boost. The Warriors have to re-affirm their dominance to others if not themselves by beating the Rhinos as they have struggled to find consistent form despite winning The Challenge Cup.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Both teams will throw the ball about as they seek the win but it will be the more settled and confident Rhinos who will take the game and win by eight points.
Terry says: It is always special when these two meet and Thursday will be no exception. Wigan may have just won the Challenge Cup but their league form has fallen off a bit. They have only won two in the last eight and their performances have not been that good. The Warriors know they have to perform better if they want to add more silverware to the Challenge Cup trophy. Losing Sean O'Loughlin is a big blow for them though as he brings so much to the Warriors with and without the ball. Leeds have won the last three out of four meeting against Wigan and have the likes of Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Brett Delaney back.
TERRY PREDICTS: I think that Leeds just have the edge here and think they will win by six points.
Barrie says: The Saints will want to put the defeat last week at the hands of the Wolves behind them, while Hull will also be wanting to put the Cup Final behind them even though they did beat the Wigan seconds last week. It might be a game of desperation from both teams as they try to find the winning formula to take into the play-offs. The big crowd at the KC will give the home team all the incentive they need to beat a Saints side full of innovation but one that still lacks timing.
BARRIE PREDICTS: If penalties and errors by the visitors litter the game that will give Hull too many options to score but if they can play like they played in the second and last third of last week's game Saints will win by 10 points.
Terry says: I gave Hull FC a hard time after they lost to Wigan in the Challenge Cup final because of all the errors. They went to Wigan and reversed the result, albeit against a weakened Warriors side. Daniel Holdsworth and Jacob Miller could not get to grips with the ball at Wembley but last week it was a different Hull FC. Saints have been playing some lovely rugby and have got a bit of form. They did lose to Warrington last week but showed some glimpses of what they can achieve.
TERRY PREDICTS: I like what Saints are all about - I like the youngsters who have come in and stepped up to the mark. Hull FC are also a good side but I think Saints will win by 10 points.
Barrie says: As far as I can gather the Vikings haven't won two in a row before last week and are in uncharted territory trying to win three in a row. I think the belief is there and that they can do it. The City Reds haven't managed to win twice in a row all season even with the Challenge Cup fixtures included and their last home game under the City Reds moniker will be as losers as the Vikings have certainly got their tails up.
BARRIE PREDICTS: The Vikings' enthusiasm will see them to victory by 16 points against a Salford team whose season can't come to an end fast enough so Brian Noble can formulate his plan and get on with conquering the world in the 2014 season.
Terry says: Salford are all about the signings that they are making for next season! What a side they are going to be next year - if they are not pushing for trophies, then I don't know who will! However, that is for next year and I think they will struggle against Widnes. The Vikings are full of confidence - they beat Hull KR last week and the week before they beat Warrington with 12 men. They are building a special culture at the club and really push each other to be the best that they can.
TERRY PREDICTS: I really think that Widnes have progressed since last year and will want to finish the season well. Widnes to win by 14 points.
Barrie says: This will be a bruising encounter of a game, the last thing both teams need before the play offs. Or is it? The ideal way to practice for battle is to go to battle. This could be a high-scoring game as both teams will exploit each other's weaknesses and the Wolves don't have many. The Dragons occasionally drop their concentration and this is when the Wolves will take advantage. Even if the home side take the lead for a while - much to the delight of their passionate supporters - the tears of joy will turn to tears of frustration as the Dragons will make too many mistakes chasing the win.
BARRIE PREDICTS: These two will really tear into each other trying to damage and hurt their opponent's confidence and bodies (legally of course), but I'm backing Warrington to win by six points.
Terry says: If you look at the last 11 games Warrington have only lost one and are on fire at the moment. However, the Dragons have the edge over the Wolves if you look at the recent fixtures between the two. Catalan are one of those sides that love playing against the big boys but I am not so sure if they are going to be happy welcoming a Warrington side in such great form.
TERRY PREDICTS: If the Dragons can reproduce the form that saw them turn over Wigan before the Challenge Cup final then they may have a chance but I still think Warrington will win by 20 points
Barrie says: Many might think that there will be no last home win for the Bulls but I've always been different and always got a bit of the devil with me. The Giants won the League Leaders Shield last week after demolishing the Wildcats 40-0, however their handling of the ball was scrappy, so this is the game in which they should show the other seven in the play-offs that they are the team to beat and are worthy league leaders. The Bulls have promised so much in this season but have failed to deliver and will have a tough off season of 'what ifs' to put up with. There will be plenty of effort from the home side but Danny Brough will again be the architect that sets up the field positions and play executions and he will want to boss the show.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Not a Giants crash - it will be more of a nudge as the Bulls win by 24 points.
Terry says: The talk from Huddersfield is that Paul Anderson is going to rotate some of his players for this game - but even if he does so and brings some youngsters in I don't think it will affect how the Giants play. They have a big squad who are all vying for positions for the play-offs and I am confident that they can turn Bradford over. The Bulls were shocking last week when they lost to London and will need to step up this week.
TERRY PREDICTS: No matter what side Huddersfield put out I think they will win by 14 points.
Barrie says: Dare I suggest that the Broncos will go out on a high with a win by beating the Rovers? OK, let's think about that. London have nothing to lose by putting every last bit of energy and effort into this game but Rovers have no fit half-backs. London are currently the team with the worst form and league position but they could avoid the wooden spoon if they win and Salford lose to Widnes. All that sounds plausible, doesn't it? However, the Robins will of course have other ideas. Losing Travis Burns will impact on KR and leave too much for a half fit Michael Dobson. Even if he does play, KR will win and not because I believe they're in better nick but because they have more than the league points to gain.
BARRIE PREDICTS: A low scoring game that Hull KR will win by eight points.
Terry says: When you get to this time of year and have not made the top eight there is only pride to play for. The sad thing is that London, who spent the full salary cap, finished bottom of the table and their future is once again up in the air. Tony Rea will get his players up and while a lot of them have signed elsewhere, they are all professional players and will want to go out with a bang. Hull KR finished in eighth spot and cannot get any higher - they have plenty of injuries which will be worrying for them.
TERRY PREDICTS: I am confident that even with their big injury list, Hull KR at home have enough to get the job done and will win by 22 points.
Barrie says: Who would have imagined a couple of months back that Trinity would be third last? Their best players are leaving, they have money troubles surfacing again and there has not been much positive recruitment for the all-important next season. What have their supporters to cheer about at their last home game of the season? Just beating their local neighbours Cas, that's what they will want to cheer about. The Tigers are one place and one point above them in the league and will want to stay there too. Is it Rangi Chase' last game for Castleford and will he leave the Tigers fans rueing the day Dr Koukash ever got interested in Rugby League?
BARRIE PREDICTS: Chase will also have the Wildcats fans shaking their heads in disbelief at the things he can do with the ball, and that is why the Tigers will win by 24 points in a one-sided victory against a Trinity team who are totally fed up and dispirited with how the season has turned out for them.
Terry says: If there is any player who can light up a game it is Rangi Chase. This will be his last game for Castleford and will want to go out with a bang. It will be like watching Paul Daniels and he will mesmerise the fans and Wakefield with his magic! Meanwhile, there has been more negativity surrounding Wakefield with the chairman coming out and saying they need £400,000!
TERRY PREDICTS: Wakefield will put in another gutsy performance but it is all about Rangi Chase and I see him leading Castleford to a 12-point win.
