Super League 2025 – Round 23 preview, predictions and tips
Just five rounds remain in the regular season and the countdown to Old Trafford is well and truly on now.
Hull KR got one hand on the League Leaders’ Shield in their win at Wigan last weekend, while at the other end of the table, Salford couldn’t even get a team together.
Thankfully, there are six fixtures to look forward to again this weekend, starting with a big Yorkshire derby…
- Thursday 21st August – Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR – AMT Headingley Stadium
- Friday 22nd August – St. Helens vs Hull FC – Totally Wicked Stadium
- Friday 22nd August – Leigh Leopards vs Salford Red Devils – Leigh Sports Village
- Saturday 23rd August – Catalans Dragons vs Castleford Tigers – Stade Gilbert Brutus
- Sunday 24th August – Huddersfield Giants vs Warrington Wolves – ACCU Stadium
- Thursday 21st August – Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity – Brick Community Stadium
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 20th August 2025.
Thursday 21st August – Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR – AMT Headingley Stadium
Form guide
The Rhinos made it back-to-back wins last weekend as they hammered neighbours Castleford, 6-64. Leeds sit 4th in the table, and with a six-point cushion over Wakefield in 7th, a play-off spot looks a near-certainty.
Hull KR, meanwhile, all but wrapped up the League Leaders’ Shield with an impressive 6-10 win at closest challengers Wigan. The victory means the Robins are six points clear with just five games of the regular season left to play.
Team news
Mikolaj Oledzki returns from injury this week for Leeds, while new signing Joe Shorrocks is also named in the 21-man-squad after arriving on loan from Salford. Coach Brad Arthur has revealed that both are unlikely to feature though, so the Rhinos are expected to name the same 17 on matchday that beat Castleford last week.
Just one change to the Hull KR squad this week. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves begins a two-game suspension, but Tyrone May returns from his.
My prediction – Leeds Rhinos 12-20 Hull KR
The Rhinos were victorious when these two sides last met back in Round 17, but the Robins have picked up some impressive wins since then, most notably last weekend at Wigan. After that, they’ll be in no mood to let anyone get in their way.
Betting tips
Hull KR should be ok with a -6 handicap, which is 10/11. There aren’t any try scoring markets open yet, but when there are, I’ll be backing Joe Burgess to score anytime.
Friday 22nd August – St. Helens vs Hull FC – Totally Wicked Stadium
Form guide
Saints made it three straight wins last weekend, as they demolished Huddersfield, 52-4. Remarkably, in their last nine games they’ve only conceded more than six points on one occasion. They’re 3rd heading into this one, and a win would take them above rivals Wigan into 2nd, thanks to their superior points difference.
Hull FC picked up a massive win over Leigh in Round 22, with their 18-12 win enough to keep them 6th. They’re one point ahead of Wakefield in the battle for the final play-off spot.
Team news
Just one change for St. Helens this week, with Curtis Sironen returning from concussion to replace Jake Davies.
Hull FC have lost Will Pryce, John Asiata and Liam Watts from last weekend. Jordan Rapana, Ed Chamberlain and Brad Fash are all available again though, and take their places.
My prediction – St. Helens 24-10 Hull FC
The Black and Whites are giving it a real good go this year, but with the number of key players missing and Saints in such strong form, I’d be surprised if they got the win here.
Betting tips
St. Helens have been given a -16 handicap, which looks a little too big to me. Equally, I don’t trust Hull FC enough in this one, so I’m avoiding that.
Instead, I’ll be getting on Kyle Feldt and Owen Dagnall for anytime tries when the market opens for it.
Friday 22nd August – Leigh Leopards vs Salford Red Devils – Leigh Sports Village
Form guide
The Leopards’ 18-12 defeat at Hull FC last week made it back-to-back losses. They’ve dropped to 5th, having been right in the hunt for a top two spot just a few weeks ago.
The Salford saga took another ugly turn last week as they were forced to cancel their game with Wakefield due to a lack of available players. The 48-0 loss that’s been handed to them as a punishment was probably better than the result would have been though.
Team news
Two changes this week for Leigh. Brad Dwyer and Aaron Pene return to the squad with Joe Ofahengaue and Frankie Halton dropping out.
Salford haven’t officially revealed their squad at the time of writing, although an 18-man-squad has appeared on the RFL’s website. All four of their new loanees have been named after they linked up with the club earlier this week. Leon Ruan and Louix Gorman have arrived from Hull KR, Neil Tchamambe has joined from Wakefield and Jack Darbyshire has signed from this week’s opponents.
My prediction – Leigh Leopards 70-0 Salford Red Devils
As always, pick an even number between 50 and 80, and you’ll stand a good chance of getting the score for Salford’s opposition.
Betting tips
No markets are open again for a Salford game and I doubt they will be.
Saturday 23rd August – Catalans Dragons vs Castleford Tigers – Stade Gilbert Brutus
Form guide
The Dragons ran Warrington close last week before ultimately losing 30-22. That made it six straight defeats and 12 from their past 13 games to leave them sitting in 9th with a 6-16 record.
As for Castleford, they were humbled at home by Leeds last weekend, 6-64. They’re on a terrible run of their own with seven defeats from their past eight games, and they sit one place and two points behind this week’s opponents.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced for this one yet, but Catalans are set to be without Tommy Makinson after he went off injured last week against Warrington. Tevita Pangai Jr avoided suspension at the disciplinary earlier this week, so he’s available.
Castleford will definitely be without Joe Stimson after he failed his HIA last week against Leeds. Josh Simm also limped off in that match, so he’s a doubt.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 18-12 Castleford Tigers
I’m really intrigued by this game because both sides have been dreadful this year, but one of them has to end their poor form this week – unless it finishes 0-0. I’m tipping the Dragons though, partly because of home advantage and partly because they were much improved against Warrington last week, despite ultimately going on to lose.
Betting tips
Astonishingly, Catalans are 1/6 to win this, which says a lot about Castleford. The Tigers are 4/1 for the win, and even though I’m tipping the home side that’s pretty tempting itself.
The Dragons are just 10/11 to win by 15+, which I can’t get my head around personally. On that basis, I’m backing them to win by 1-7 at 5/1, and 8-14 at 10/3. If either of those come in, you’ll double your money at the very least, and on current form a 15+ victory looks well out of reach.
Sunday 24th August – Huddersfield Giants vs Warrington Wolves – ACCU Stadium
Form guide
The Giants picked up back-to-back wins prior to last week’s 52-4 mauling at St. Helens, which brought them back down to Earth with a bump. They remain in 11th, but they’re just two points behind 9th-placed Catalans as they eye a strong end to the year.
Warrington made hard work of their victory over Catalans in Round 22, before finally sealing a 30-22 win. That followed a run of three straight losses, and with the Wire five points shy of the top six, their play-off hopes are hanging by a thread.
Team news
Again, squads haven’t been announced yet, but the Giants lost halfback Matt Frawley last week. He was seen on crutches after the game, so it’s likely he’ll be missing this weekend. Taane Milne has also been rubbed out for this weekend after picking up a one-match suspension earlier this week.
Warrington lost youngster Zack Gardner to a hamstring injury last weekend, so he’s unlikely to be back for this one. Matt Dufty and Toby King were dropped to the reserves last week, so we’ll see if they’re recalled by coach Sam Burgess this week.
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 10-20 Warrington Wolves
Warrington should have enough to get the job done here against an injury-ravaged Huddersfield. There’s still the faintest glimmer of hope for the Wire to sneak into the top six, so this is a game they need to be winning.
Betting tips
When the markets open, I’ll be backing Warrington’s Josh Thewlis and Jake Thewlis for anytime tries. The -12 handicap for the Wire looks a little ropey to me.
Thursday 21st August – Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity – Brick Community Stadium
Form guide
Wigan saw their hopes of retaining the League Leaders’ Shield all but ended in their 8-10 loss at home to Hull KR last week. They head into this weekend six points behind the Robins, and they could even be as low as 4th when kick-off comes around for this one, if other results don’t go their way.
Wakefield had a weekend off at short notice last week, due to the ongoing farce at Salford. They’ve since been awarded a 48-0 win, which is probably a lot less points than they would have scored. They head into this weekend in 7th, just one point behind Hull FC and with a superior points difference as they try to squeeze back into the top six.
Team news
Squads haven’t been named yet, but Wigan coach Matt Peet has confirmed that Junior Nsemba and Jack Farrimond are available again after missing out last week. Luke Thompson and Bevan French remain at least two weeks’ away from returning though.
Wakefield will be without Corey Hall, after he was ruled out for the rest of the year prior to last weekend’s cancelled match. Noah High was set to debut in that game, so he’s likely to be in contention again. Neil Tchamambe was also set to debut, but he’s since gone on loan to Salford and will feature for them this weekend. Ky Rodwell, Olly Russell, Tom Johnstone and Matty Russell are all in contention to return this weekend.
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 24-18 Wakefield Trinity
Wigan haven’t been in the best of form recently and I can see Wakefield giving them a run for their money here. They should have enough to get over the line though and hold their grip on 2nd.
Betting tips
Wigan have been given a -14 handicap, which looks huge to me. On that basis, I’m backing them to win by 1-7 points at 5/1, and 8-14 points at 10/3. If either of those come in, you’ll more than double your money. A 15+ victory looks a long shot to me, especially with their attack looking so blunt in recent weeks.
