The Price is Right: Betfred Super League Round 3 Predictions

With most of the teams having a week off last week, we’re in for a weekend packed to the brim with Super League action. Teams are finding their feet and really showing their opponents what they’re made of this season, we are also starting to see some familiar habits appear. As always, the race to the Grand Final is on and another week means we are just one step closer to finding out which team will come out on top.

Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons

First up this week, Catalans make the journey to Wakefield on Thursday night as we see both sides battle with injuries early in the season. We should expect to see the return of David Mead, Ben Garcia and Antoni Maria as the Catalans side hope to capitalize on their 27-10 win against Huddersfield two weeks ago.

Wakefield coach Chris Chester has confirmed that the side are going to be without prop Craig Huby for four months after he suffered a shoulder injury in their defeat against St Helens. Luckily, they have the personnel to replace him but are sure to miss his diversity as they start their climb from 11th.

Catalans could potentially have the upper hand going into the game on Thursday as they’re on the back of a strong win. However, Wakefield are yet to win a game and will be determined to get some points on the board. The home side are current Betfred favourites to win the game at 4/7.

Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves

It’s top of the table against bottom of the table as Huddersfield host the Wire at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday night. A perfect 2 from 2 start to the season from Warrington could come to an end as Huddersfield do everything they can to get off the mark.

Another team struggling with injuries has been the Giants, but with England winger Jermaine McGillvary expected to return and Lee Gaskell also named in the 19, their luck could be set to change. Before the start of the season we predicted an 11th place finish from Simon Woolford’s side and the performances we have seen so far have done more than support our reasoning.
Things could potentially be made worse for the Giants as they come head to head with a strong Warrington side, one that is expected to build in strength with the return of Ben Currie getting closer. With a buzz surrounding the club, due to their recent signings of Gareth Widdop and Luther Burrell, it will take a strong Huddersfield side to put the Wire in their place and could prove too much of a task for them this early in the season. Betfred have last year’s Grand Finalists favourite to win the game on Friday at 4/11.

St Helens v Leeds Rhinos

The big game this Friday is the clash of current Super League giants St Helens and former giants Leeds Rhinos. With Leeds on the back of an impressive win last week against Salford, we could potentially see a different side to the one we saw fall at Warrington and Wigan in their season openers.

Having been one of the five teams to play last week, Leeds have the chance to carry the momentum over and claim themselves another 2 points. We should expect to see a change in Leeds’ style of play and the way they carry themselves on the field. Their 46-14 win at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday could have been the turning point we have been waiting for.

Having named an unchanged 19-man squad, it’s clear Justin Holbrook has confidence his team are more than capable of getting the win. Also on 2 wins from 2 games, Saints will be looking to remind us all of the table-topping performances of last season and, more importantly, prove they can do it again this season, without man of steel Ben Barba. The home side will be more than up for the challenge and I expect to see another two points going to Holbrook and his team, but not without a strong effort from the Rhinos. St Helens are also 4/11 favourites at Betfred to be victorious on Friday night.

Hull KR v Salford Red Devils

Hull KR host Salford this week and could potentially get another two points under their belt by taking advantage of a vulnerable Salford side after their defeat against Leeds last week. Although they were early table-toppers after two games of the season, Salford failed to get the two points meaning they dropped down to fourth earlier in the week.

Hull KR will welcome back a familiar face with Ken Sio set to return for the Red Devils. Jackson Hastings has been a huge personality in their first three games of the season, and we shouldn’t expect to see any different in Saturday’s game. With both sides only losing one game of the three they have played so far, neither will be willing to let their opponents get the better of them too easily.

Falling behind only on points difference, Hull KR will be determined to take that 4th place spot from Salford as both teams will be making a special effort to make themselves known at the top of the table early on. Following in the pattern, Betfred expect to see the home side succeed on Saturday placing them favourites at 8/11. However, judging what we have seen so far, it appears Tim Sheens’ side will have their work cut out for them, as it is hard to believe Salford will go down easily.

London Broncos v Castleford Tigers

After three games, London are currently falling towards the bottom of the table and will be looking to prove to the rest of the league exactly what they’re made of on Saturday when they host Castleford Tigers. Daryl Powell’s side are yet to be defeated this season and will be looking to keep it that way.

Having got their only win of the season so far on home soil, the home fixture could work in favour of the Broncos, giving them the chance to build on their 8th place stand. London still have a lot to prove after making it to the Betfred Super League in last year’s qualifiers. After an impressive win over Wakefield in round 1, we have seen just how good London can be and expect to see this progress within the next few weeks.

With convincing wins from both of their games played so far, the Tigers have already proved they are determined to right their wrongs from the past two seasons. Sitting in second in the table, down to points difference, it is no surprise that Betfred have them favourites to get their third win of the season, at 2/9.

Wigan Warriors v Hull FC

On the back of their World Club Challenge defeat, Wigan will be looking to get back into the regular league all guns blazing. Having won one and lost one of their games so far, Wigan are sitting in 9th place, just one spot ahead of Hull FC, who are yet to get off the mark.

A huge blow for Wigan came earlier in the week when they confirmed former England international, Liam Farrell, is due to miss at least four months of the season with injury. Losing a regular member this early in the season could throw off all plans Adrian Lam has. However, he has reassured Warriors fans he is more than confident in his team to continue as planned.

After a disappointing start, Hull FC will be looking for any opportunity to start their climb to the top. Despite not managing to get the win in either of their first two games of the season, Lee Radford’s team have pushed in both games with winger Bureta Faraimo telling the fans that two points are just around the corner. However, we expect the champions to show us exactly why they’re champions on Sunday with Betfred placing them favourites at 4/11 for the third-round fixture.