Super League 2025 – Magic Weekend preview, predictions and tips
It’s one of the highlights of the rugby league calendar this weekend, as all 12 Super League teams head to Newcastle for a bumper weekend of action.
More than 65,000 fans are expected at St James’ Park across the two days, and there looks to be some real crackers on the cards…
Saturday 3rd May – Leigh Leopards vs Catalans Dragons
Form guide
After a bit of a wobble, the Leopards were unbeaten through April and they head into this weekend in 3rd place. They’ve got a Challenge Cup Semi-Final to look forward to next weekend, as well.
It’s a similar story for the Dragons, who also won all four matches in April, which means they’re just outside the play-off places in Super League, with a Challenge Cup Semi-Final of their own next week against Hull KR.
Team news
David Armstrong, Keanan Brand and Frankie Halton are all out for Leigh. Tesi Niu and Umyla Hanley are back in the squad after injury, but it’s touch and go as to whether they make the matchday squad. Edwin Ipape is also back after suspension, while Joe Ofahengaue should make his first appearance since arriving from Parramatta Eels.
Catalans Dragons welcome Sam Tomkins and Leo Darrelatour back into the squad, with Tommy Makinson and Franck Maria dropping out.
My prediction – Leigh Leopards 20-14 Catalans Dragons
This is a tough one to call with both sides in form, but I’m tipping the Leopards to edge it. They’ve been more convinicng than Catalans when I’ve seen them this year, so I’m backing them to take the two points in the opening game of the weekend.
Betting tips
It’s 15/8 for Tesi Niu to score anytime, and that price looks very good to me. Leigh with a -4 handicap are 10/11, and I’d be getting on that too.
Saturday 3rd May – Hull KR vs Salford Red Devils
Form guide
Hull KR made it eight wins from nine games in Super League last weekend to remain top of the table, two points ahead of Wigan. They’ve got a Challenge Cup Semi-Final with Catalans Dragons to look forward to next week, as well.
Things couldn’t be much more contrasting for Salford, whose 6-28 loss to Leigh Leopards last weekend made it eight defeats in nine.
Team news
Kelepi Tanginoa is missing for Hull KR this week after suffering a head knock against Leeds Rhinos. Eribe Doro, AJ Wallace and Noah Booth are all in the squad after returning from loan spells.
Salford have Chris Hankinson, Ethan Ryan and Matty Foster back on deck this week. Joe Mellor and Finlay Yates drop out, while Jake Thewlis has been recalled from loan by Warrington.
My prediction – Hull KR 42-6 Salford Red Devils
Anything other than a comfortable win for the Robins would be a surprise here. Salford do at least have a few household names in the squad this week, but I can’t see it being enough to cause much damage.
Betting tips
Hull KR are just 1/250 to win this one, so forget finding value in the outright market. The best value I can see is in the handicap (no tie) market, where Rovers are 4/6 with a -36.5 handicap. There’s little value to be had when it comes to try scorers either, but Mikey Lewis to score one in each half looks intriguing at 3/1.
Saturday 3rd May – St. Helens vs Leeds Rhinos
Form guide
Saints have come up short in recent weeks, losing their last two against Wigan and Warrington to sit 5th on the table.
Leeds are level on points and only behind this week’s opponents on points difference. They were beaten 14-20 by Hull KR last weekend in a close game.
Team news
Jake Burns and Ben Davies drop out for Saints this weekend. Davies has left the club this week to move to Oldham. Jake Wingfield is back after concussion, while Deon Cross is named for the first time after joining from Salford.
Leeds Rhinos are unchanged from last weekend’s loss to Hull KR. Ryan Hall limped off in that one, but he’s named in the squad again.
My prediction – St. Helens 16-22 Leeds Rhinos
Nothing about Saints’ recent performances convinces me they’ll win this one, whereas Leeds have shown signs of progress. This one could go either way, but I’m tipping the Rhinos, just.
Betting tips
St. Helens are favourites in this one, so I’d back the 11/8 for a Leeds win. In the try scoring market, Harry Newman is 11/4 to score anytime and that looks a high price to me.
Sunday 4th May – Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC
Form guide
Huddersfield’s miserable year continued last weekend, as theur 12-30 loss to Castleford made it nine straight losses to start the season.
Hull, meanwhile, remain without a home win after going down 12-36 to Wigan at the MKM Stadium. They’re still 4th though and firmly in the race for the top six.
Team news
Adam Clune is back for Huddersfield after two months out in a welcome boost. Zac Woolford came through is comeback unscathed last weekend, so he’s named again too.
Jordan Rapana returns for Hull FC after missing the Wigan game last weekend through injury. Loanee Sam Eseh also returns after missing out against his parent club. Will Gardiner and Callum Kemp are the two players to make way.
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 14-30 Hull FC
Despite the Giants finally getting some first teamers back, I can’t see past the Black and Whites in this one. All their victories have come on the road, and after back-to-back defeats, Huddersfield would be the side they would hand pick this week if they’d had the choice.
Betting tips
Hull are just 1/9, while a -14 handicap is 4/7, which isn’t great value. I’d be looking at the try scoring market instead in this one. You can get 1/1 on Harvey Barron to score anytime and Hull FC to win, and that’s where I’d be going. It’s 12/5 for Barron and Lewis Martin to both score a try anytime, and that looks a good price too.
Sunday 4th May – Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves
Form guide
Wigan have found their stride in recent weeks, and their 12-36 win at Hull FC last weekend was their fourth in a row. They sit 2nd in the table, just two points behind Hull KR.
Warrington have been quite hit-and-miss, but they were superb last weekend against St.Helens. Their 32-18 win came with a raft of injured players and coach Sam Burgess described it as his proudest win since taking over. They remain outside the top six, but they’re level on points with 5th-placed St. Helens.
Team news
Wigan have made just one change to the squad from last weekend, with Tyler Dupree returning from a concussion in place of Jacob Douglas.
Warrington are missing Marc Sneyd, Matty Ashton and Toby King from last weekend’s squad as their injury crisis continues to worsen. Arron Lindop is back from a broken jaw though, Oli Leyland has been called into the 21 and Jake Thewlis is back from a loan spell at Salford. Danny Walker is a surprise inclusion after initially being ruled out by coach Sam Burgess.
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 36-18 Warrington Wolves
I’d be surprised if Wigan don’t win this one given the Wire’s injury crisis. Wigan, on the other hand, have most of their big guns on deck and they’re in form, so they should have too much for Warrington this week, who will probably have one eye on next weekend’s Challenge Cup Semi-Final, as well.
Betting tips
The Magic Weekend stage is made for superstars like Jai Field and Bevan French, and I’d be backing both to score anytime at 5/6 and 10/11, respectively. Jake Wardle would be my other anytime try tip and at 11/8, he’s incredible value.
Sunday 4th May – Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
Form guide
Castleford picked up a much-needed win last weekend as they saw off winless Huddersfield 12-30, to cement their 10th placed spot. It was only the Tigers’ second win of the season, but it’s moved them four points clear of the wooden spoon.
As for Wakefield, they’re just one place higher in 9th, but with four wins and five losses, they’re in much better shape than their West Yorkshire rivals.
These two sides only met two weeks ago, when Trinity nicked it 13-12.
Team news
Chris Atkin comes straight into the Castleford squad after arriving from Salford this week. However, Jeremiah Simbiken is expected to be out for around 12 weeks with a knee injury suffered against Huddersfield last week.
Jake Trueman and Matty Russell return for Wakefield this weekend, but Renouf Atoni and Caleb Hamlin-Uele will both be out for a while.
My prediction – Castleford Tigers 12-16 Wakefield Trinity
I’m expecting this to be another closely fought contest between two sides who are next to each other in the table. Cas have made some good signings in recent weeks, who have given them a boost, but Wakey should just edge this one.
Betting tips
Matty Russell looks very tempting at 7/4 in the anytime try market. I can see this being a close game, so I like the look of Wakefield to win by 1-10, which is priced at 9/4.
