Super League 2026 – Round 18 preview, predictions and tips
Magic Weekend feels like it’s barely finished and we’re already into the next round of fixtures.
York and Hull FC kick things off on Thursday night, before arguably the match of the round between Wigan and Warrington on Friday night.
Five other games are on the cards too, including 5th vs 4th at Craven Park, while Leigh are hot on the heels of St Helens as they look to break into the top six.
So without further ado, here’s our guide to Round 18…
- Thursday 9th July – York Knights vs Hull FC
- Friday 10th July – Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves
- Friday 10th July – Huddersfield Giants vs Bradford Bulls
- Saturday 11th July – Leigh Leopards vs Castleford Tigers
- Saturday 11th July – Hull KR vs Wakefield Trinity
- Saturday 11th July – Catalans Dragons vs Leeds Rhinos
- Sunday 12th July – St Helens vs Toulouse Olympique
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 8th July 2026.
Thursday 9th July – York Knights vs Hull FC
Form guide
The Knights were magnificent in their 36-24 win over Huddersfield at Magic Weekend, which made it back-to-back victories. They sit 12th in the table, but could climb as high as 9th.
Hull FC were brave in defeat as they went down 26-12 to Hull KR at Magic Weekend, but ultimately it was a seventh loss in eight games. They sit 10th – level on points with the Knights.
Team news
My prediction – York Knights 12-24 Hull FC
I’ve been impressed with York in their last couple of games, but the Black and Whites need a result and they’ll expect to get one against a newly-promoted side.
Betting tips
Tom Briscoe is nicely priced at 11/10 for an anytime try. I’ll also back Hull FC in the half-time/full-time market at 5/4.
Friday 10th July – Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves
Form guide
Wigan made it five straight wins in their hard-fought 16-14 victory over St Helens last week, which has seen them climb to 2nd.
Warrington are one place below, but level on points after their 24-6 loss to Leigh at Magic Weekend.
Team news
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 20-6 Warrington Wolves
Both sides have been decimated by injuries, which makes this a tough one to call. However, the Warriors are in better form and it’s their first home game for two months, so I’m expecting them to be well up for this one in front of their own fans again.
Betting tips
Wigan have been given a -10 handicap, which looks a little risky to me. Instead, I’ll be backing Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran for anytime tries when the market opens.
Friday 10th July – Huddersfield Giants vs Bradford Bulls
Form guide
After a heartening performance against Wakefield two weeks ago, the Giants were dreadful again in their 36-24 loss to York at Magic Weekend. The defeat was their 10th in a row, and they remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just four points.
Bradford were comprehensively beaten 50-16 by Leeds in their Magic Weekend fixture. They sit 13th, but six points clear of this week’s opponents.
Team news
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 10-18 Bradford Bulls
This is the kind of game the Giants should be targeting for a morale-boosting win, but they’ve been so hopeless this year that I think it’ll be the Bulls sniffing blood. It could go either way, but Bradford have shown a lot more heart and desire when I’ve seen them, so I can’t go against them.
Betting tips
It seems the bookies have learned nothing, and they’ve made Huddersfield favourites again as they did last week. So, I’m jumping straight on a Bradford win at 11/10. I’ll also back an Ethan Ryan anytime try when the market opens.
Saturday 11th July – Leigh Leopards vs Castleford Tigers
Form guide
Leigh are one of the most in-form teams in Super League right now, and their 24-6 win over Warrington last weekend was their fifth victory in six games. They’re 7th – just two points off the play-off spots.
Castleford were woeful in their 48-6 loss to Wakefield. They remain 9th with very little to play for.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced yet, but Leigh coach Adrian Lam confirmed that Tesi Niu could miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he sustained at Magic Weekend. Joe Ofahengaue has also been ruled out, while Robbie Mulhern and Aaron Pene are doubts.
Castleford lost George Hirst, Brock Greacen and Tyler Dupree to failed HIAs last weekend, so they’ll definitely be out. Liam Hood and Darnell McIntosh also picked up injuries, so they’re doubtful. Zac Cini, meanwhile, has left the club and returned to Australia.
My prediction – Leigh Leopards 36-12 Castleford Tigers
Despite the Leopards missing some big names, I expect them to win this one comfortably. When the Tigers are bad, they’re really bad, and Leigh have a top six spot to go and grab.
Betting tips
None of the odds look amazing for this one yet, so I’m backin David Armstrong and Umyla Hanley for anytime tries when the market opens.
Saturday 11th July – Hull KR vs Wakefield Trinity
Form guide
Hull KR returned to winning ways with a 26-12 victory over rivals Hull FC at Magic Weekend. They sit in 5th, but they’re just two points clear of 7th-placed Leigh.
Wakefield demolished neighbours Castleford at Magic Weekend in a 48-6 victory. They’re 4th, but a victory could see them climb to 2nd.
Team news
Again, squads haven’t been announced yet, but Hull KR will definitely be without Dean Hadley. The second-rower suffered a second failed HIA inside a month against Leeds, so he’s being slowly brought back into the fold. Joe Burgess, Arthur Mourgue and Sam Luckley could make their comebacks this week though.
No news from Wakefield so far. Josh Rourke is likely to continue at fullback after a try-scoring performance at Magic Weekend, but Max Jowitt will be hoping to dislodge him.
Saturday 11th July – Hull KR 18-14 Wakefield Trinity
This should be a cracker of a game and I can’t split these two. Based on home advantage and the fact they’re champions, I’m just leaning towards the Robins, but they’ll need to be on it this week as Trinity won’t roll over.
Betting tips
Hull KR have been given a -10 handicap, so I’m getting straight on Wakefield with a +10 at 10/11, as I think it’ll be closer than that. I’m also backing Jai Whitbread for an anytime try when the market opens, and I’d expect good odds on that.
Saturday 11th July – Catalans Dragons vs Leeds Rhinos
Form guide
The Dragons were hammered 60-18 by Toulouse in their Magic Weekend fixture in Castres. That loss leaves them six points away from the top six, which now looks to be out of reach if it didn’t already.
Leeds thrashed Bradford 50-16 in their Magic Weekend fixture to record their sixth straight win. They’re four points clear of Wigan at the top of the table.
Team news
No news from the Dragons camp yet heading into this weekend.
Leeds coach Brad Arthur has confirmed that Ryan Hall will miss out this week through injury, with Riley Lumb to replace him.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 12-42 Leeds Rhinos
Anything other than a comfortable Rhinos win would be a surprise here. Catalans have very little to play for, while the Rhinos are powering towards the League Leaders’ Shield.
Betting tips
Leeds should be safe with a -16 handicap at 10/11. I’ll back Ash Handley and Maika Sivo for anytime tries as well. A double should make the odds a lot better for this one.
Sunday 12th July – St Helens vs Toulouse Olympique
Form guide
St Helens put up a fighting display in their 16-14 loss to Wigan, but ultimately fell short. They sit in 6th – just two points clear of Leigh.
Toulouse picked up arguably their best-ever Super League win with a 60-18 victory over Catalans last weekend. They sit in 11th, but they’re six points clear of bottom-placed Huddersfield.
Team news
St Helens lost Alex Walmsley to a failed HIA against Wigan, so he’s definitely out. Daryl Clark is doubtful after picking up an ankle injury, while George Delaney could also be missing after suffering a head knock.
Toulouse could hand a debut to Louis Grossemy after his arrival from Canterbury Bulldogs.
My prediction – St Helens 22-10 Toulouse Olympique
Despite such a great victory last week, I’d still expect Toulouse to come up shirt here. Saints have a battle on their hands to remain in the top six, and this is exactly the sort of game they should be winning.
Betting tips
I’m not convinced by Saints’ -18 handicap, so I’ll be backing Jacob Douglas and Harry Robertson for anytime tries when the market opens.
