Super League 2025 – Round 1 preview and predictions – part one
After a long few months, Super League is finally back tonight. And it’s not just the rugby league that’s got me feeling positive, but the promise of better weather to come with it, fingers crossed.
In fairness, that will take a few weeks to kick in, but the action certainly won’t – starting tonight…
Thursday 13th February – Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards – 8pm – The Brick Community Stadium
The reigning champions will kick things off tonight against the team they beat in last year’s play-off semi final.
More than 20,000 tickets have already been sold for this match, and whether you’re a Wigan fan or not, that’s surely a positive if you love rugby league.
Both teams come into this match off the back of convincing victories in the Challenge Cup last weekend. Wigan saw off Sheffield Eagles, 12-48, while Leigh hammered Workington Town, 0-60.
Team news
The Warriors have made two changes from last weekend’s squad as Abbas Miski and Jake Wardle replace Jacob Douglas and Taylor Kerr. Brad O’Neill and Ethan Havard remain long-term absentees through injury.
For the Leopards, Darnell McIntosh is the only notable absentee. David Armstrong and Tesi Niu are both set to make their debuts after arriving from the NRL.
Our prediction – Wigan Warriors 28 – 12 Leigh Leopards
Round one matches are always difficult to predict, with very little form to go on, except for a couple of pre-season matches, and this year, a Challenge Cup tie against lower league opposition. However, given the year they had in 2024 and the momentum they should be carrying into 2025, I’m going for the Warriors to start the year off with a win in front of a big home crowd.
Betting tips
At 1/9, there’s no value to be had in a home win, so Wigan with a -14 handicap looks a good shout at 8/11.
Liam Marshall was Super League’s top try scorer in 2024, and he’s 5/1 to score first tonight, which is a good price. For a safer punt, he’s 4/6 to score anytime, which is highly likely.
Friday 14th February – Hull KR vs Castleford Tigers – 8pm – Sewell Group Craven Park
Last year’s Grand Final runners-up kick off their campaign against a Castleford side with a new head coach and a raft of new signings.
In their first game of the year, the Robins comfortably saw off York Knights, 2-44 in the Challenge Cup, but it was a different story for Cas, who were the only Super League side to be knocked out. Bradford Bulls were the team to inflict the damage, beating them 18-16 at Odsal.
Team news
Willie Peters has named an unchanged Rovers squad from last weekend, with Tom Davies, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Michael McIlorum, Rhyse Martin and Bill Leyland all in line for their league debuts.
For the Tigers, Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi and Jeremiah Simbiken could all make their league debuts after arriving from Down Under. St Helens loanee Ben Davies has also been added to the squad and could make his club debut.
Our prediction – Hull KR 40-6 Castleford Tigers
I don’t usually read too much into one-off results at the start of a season, but something about Castleford’s defeat to Bradford last weekend really bothers me. I can see this being a long, hard year for Cas, and Rovers will be sniffing blood in this one as they look to go one better than they did in 2024.
Betting tips
Hull KR to win with a -20 handicap looks too good to pass up at 10/11, while a Mikey Lewis anytime try is a distinct possibility too at 5/6.
Friday 14th February – Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC – 8pm – Stade Gilbert Brutus
This could be the most intriguing match of the round. Both teams had disappointing campaigns in 2024 and the Dragons were unconvincing last weekend in beating Halifax, 0-14 in their Challenge Cup tie.
The Black and Whites on the other hand were far more comfortable in seeing off York Acorn, 6-52, but in fairness they’re a few levels below Halifax.
Team news
Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Tevita Pangai and Oliver Partington could all make their debuts for the Dragons on Friday night. Elliot Whitehead is in line to make his second debut as well, after returning from Canberra Raiders.
Sam Tomkins and Theo Fages drop out from last weekend’s game due to injury.
John Cartwright’s first Super League squad has six potential league debutants for the Black and Whites – Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Aidan Sezer, Amir Bourouh, John Asiata and Cade Cust.
Ed Chamberlain, Oliver Holmes, Davy Litten, Jack Charles and Matty Laidlaw all miss out through injury.
Our prediction – Catalans Dragons 20-16 Hull FC
I can see this being a really tight game. The Dragons will be looking to start strong at home and lay down a marker, while Hull need to put a dismal 2024 behind them, and fast. I’m backing the Dragons’ home advantage to just see them over the line though.
Betting tips
The Dragons are just 3/10 to win this match, which seems a bit harsh to me. I’d back Hull with a +10 handicap at 10/11.
As for try scorers, Zak Hardaker looks a big price at 20/1 to score first, while Nick Cotric is a fairly high 10/1 in the same market.
