Super League 2026 – Round 8 preview, predictions and tips
After a week off for the Challenge Cup, it’s back to Super League action this week. Six sides are well rested having not played since Easter, while the other eight all did battle in four excellent cup ties.
Five sides are locked on 10 points at the top of the table, and every team has at least two wins, in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in a long time.
Here’s how I see things going this weekend…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 16th April 2026.
- Thursday 16th April 2026 – Hull FC vs St Helens
- Friday 17th April – Toulouse Olympique vs Hull KR
- Friday 17th April – Huddersfield Giants vs Leeds Rhinos
- Friday 17th April – York Knights vs Leigh Leopards
- Saturday 18th April – Wakefield Trinity vs Bradford Bulls
- Saturday 18th April – Catalans Dragons vs Warrington Wolves
- Sunday 19th April – Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers
Thursday 16th April 2026 – Hull FC vs St Helens
Form guide
The Black and Whites were beaten 24-6 by biggest rivals, Hull KR, in their last match on Good Friday. Coach John Cartwight’s departure at the end of the year has also been confirmed since then, but FC are in 9th, just two points outside the play-off spots.
St Helens strolled into the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup last weekend with a 36-4 win over Catalans Dragons. Their last Super League game was an incredible comeback victory over local rivals Wigan, which sees them sitting in 5th – one of five teams locked on 10 points.
Team news
Five changes for Hull FC from the squad who lost the derby two weeks ago. Yusuf Aydin is back from injury, while Brad Fash returns from concussion to make his 200th appearance for the club. Harry Newman is named after arriving on loan from Leeds, and there’s a space for youngsters Will Kirby and Lloyd Kemp.
St Helens make three changes to the squad who saw off Catalans in the cup. Jake Wingfield suffered an ACL injury, which rules him out for the rest of the year. Lewis Murphy also suffered an injury in that game, while youngster Oscar Knox drops out. Matty Lees is back for his first Super League action of the year, while youngsters Alfie Sinclair and Billy Keeley are also included.
My prediction – Hull FC 10-24 St Helens
I’m fully expecting Saints to win this one. The Black and Whites are injury-hit, while the coach has openly come out and criticised the club this week (and rightly so). Saints should take full advantage here.
Betting tips
Saints have been given just a -4 handicap, so I’m jumping straight on that, at 10/11. Tristan Sailor is well priced for an anytime try too, at 5/4.
Friday 17th April – Toulouse Olympique vs Hull KR
Form guide
After a bright start, Toulouse have lost their last five games, including a 33-26 defeat to Catalans Dragons in their last outing over Easter. They sit 10th heading into the weekend.
Hull KR, meanwhile, have won their last three games after a sluggish start. They beat York Knights 48-10 in the Challenge Cup last week, and saw off local rivals Hull FC, 24-6, in their last Super League game. That victory has them sitting in 7th.
Team news
Toulouse have made a handful of changes to this week’s squad, with Tyler Dupree and Benjamin Laguerre among the players who drop out.
Hull KR have captain Elliot Minchella available again this week. He replaces Tom Whitehead in the only change from the cup victory over York.
My prediction – Toulouse Olympique 10-38 Hull KR
The Robins have picked up in recent weeks and a trip to newly-promoted Toulouse shouldn’t cause them too many problems.
Betting tips
Hull KR should be safe with a -22 handicap at 10/11. Peta Hiku is the best priced of the likely anytime tryscorers too, at 8/5.
Friday 17th April – Huddersfield Giants vs Leeds Rhinos
Form guide
After five straight defeats to start the year, Huddersfield have won thier last two in Super League to climb to 11th.
Leeds have also won their last two, including a win over local rivals Bradford on Good Friday. The Rhinos are riding high in 2nd heading into this weekend.
Team news
Huddersfield have Sam Halsall and Harry Rushton available again after injury, but Connor Wrench misses out with a slight knock.
One change for Leeds Rhinos from the squad that beat Bradford on Good Friday. Harry Newman drops out after heading to Hull FC on loan. Tom Nicholson-Watton comes in for him.
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 14-26 Leeds Rhinos
The Giants will come into this one with a bit of confidence after recent results, but if Leeds are to challenge at the business end of the season, this is the sort of game they’d expect to win.
Betting tips
Again, I’m happy with the handicap here, which has Leeds at -8 and 10/11. Jack Bird is a good price for an anytime try as well, at 7/4.
Friday 17th April – York Knights vs Leigh Leopards
Form guide
After two wins from their opening three Super League games, the Knights have lost four in a row. They were heavily beaten 48-10 by Hull KR in the Challenge Cup last week as well.
The Leopards have won just one of their last six games in Super League, and they were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Warrington last weekend. They sit 13th heading into this weekend.
Team news
York have Sam Cook and David Nofoaluma available again after being cup-tied last weekend. Cody Hunter, Jon Bennison, Kieran Hudson and Leeds loanee Ben Littlewood are all included too. Jack Smith, Joe Law, Danny Richardson and Nikau Williams all drop out.
Tesi Niu and Umyla Hanley both drop out this week for Leigh.
My prediction – York Knights 8-16 Leigh Leopards
This feels like a massive game for Leigh in particular. Win, and it can act as a springboard to climb the table, but lose, and it’ll start to look like a long, hard season for them. I think they’ll edge this one against an injury-hit Knights.
Betting tips
I’m not convinced by Leigh’s -10 handicap in this one, so I’m ignoring that. Instead, David Nofoaluma is a huge 15/8 for an anytime try for York. I’m also going for Leigh to win by 8-14 points, which is 3/1.
Saturday 18th April – Wakefield Trinity vs Bradford Bulls
Form guide
Wakefield are on magnificent form in Super League, with four straight wins lifting them to 4th. They were only narrowly beaten by Wigan in the Challenge Cup last weekend as well.
Bradford have lost their last two in Super League, but they’re currently 8th with a 3-4 record.
Team news
Wakefield make two changes from the squad that lost to Wigan in the Challenge Cup. Caius Faatili is back from injury, and there’s a spot for Charlie Abraham, who signed a new deal this week. Jazz Tevaga misses out through suspension and Isaiah Vagana also drops out.
Bradford have been forced into making six changes. Waqa Blake, Phoenix Steinwede, Ryan Sutton, Jayden Nikorima, Joe Keyes and Rowan Milnes all drop out. Cam Bate, Brandon Douglas, Will Gardiner, Alfie Leake, Dan Russell and Ebon Scurr come in to replace them.
My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 32-12 Bradford Bulls
Wakefield were impressive in defeat against Wigan in the cup, and they’re on a good run in the league. Add in Bradford’s injury list, and Trinity should be ok in this one.
Betting tips
Wakefield should be fine with a -16 handicap, which is 4/5. I’ll also be backing an anytime try for Tom Johnstone when the market opens.
Saturday 18th April – Catalans Dragons vs Warrington Wolves
Form guide
The Dragons were beaten 36-4 by St Helens in the Challenge Cup last time out, but they’ve won three of their past four in Super League to sit in 6th.
Warrington booked their Challenge Cup semi-final spot at the expense of Leigh Leopards last weekend, and they’ve won five of their six Super League fixtures to sit top of the table.
Team news
Catalans Dragons have named an unchanged squad from the one which lost to St Helens last week.
Warrington have made five changes to their squad from the cup victory over Leigh. Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Smith and Luke Yates all miss out through injury. Tommy Rhodes and Luke Thomas are also replaced. Toafofoa Sipley is back from injury, Jake Thewlis is recalled from his loan at Castleford, whilst Max Wood, Ewan Smith and Lachlan Webster are also added.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 6-24 Warrington Wolves
Warrington are flying high, whilst the Dragons have just lost their head coach. I can only see this going one way, although Catalans won’t roll over.
Betting tips
Warrington’s -4 handicap should be a shoo-in at 10/11. I’m also backing Matty Ashton for an anytime try when the market opens.
Sunday 19th April – Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers
Form guide
Wigan have suffered back-to-back league defeats, but they edged past Wakefield in the Challenge Cup last weekend, 26-22. The Warriors are 3rd heading into this weekend.
Castleford were comfortably beaten 34-0 by local rivals Wakefield on Easter Sunday. They’re bottom of the table with two wins and five losses.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced yet, but Wigan will definitely be without Harry Smith and Sam Walters, who both picked up bans following the cup win over Wakefield.
Castleford Tigers’ coach Ryan Carr was very unhappy after their loss to Wakefield, so expect to see a few changes from their squad. One man who definitely won’t feature is Tom Forber, after he returned to Wigan following a loan spell.
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 36-6 Castleford Tigers
This should be relatively routine for the Warriors, despite missing a couple of big names in Harry Smith and Sam Walters. Like Leeds this week, this is a game they’ll expect to win if they’re serious about challenging at the end of the year.
Betting tips
I’m happy to back Wigan with a -20 handicap at 10/11. I’ll also be backing Zach Eckersley for an anytime try when the market opens.
