Super League 2025 – Round 8 preview, predictions and tips
It’s ‘Rivals Round’ this week in Super League, and without wanting to be too negative, that’s a bit of a stretch.
Granted, there are two huge games on Good Friday, but the whole round is pretty much built around them. I’m sure if you asked Catalans and Salford fans who their biggest rivals are, there wouldn’t be many who chose the other. (In Salford’s case, it’s probably their owners who are proving to be their biggest rivals this year).
Anyway, that’s enough negativity. In a week where the second Ashes test sold out within an hour of going on general sale, it’s been one of the more positive weeks of the season so far, and with the ‘sold out’ signs going up in Wigan for this weekend’s game, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about RL this week. (Although saying that, I’m always optimistic about it!)
Thursday 17th April – Wakefield Trinity vs Castleford Tigers – DIY Kitchens Stadium
Form guide
Wakefield finally lost their first away game of the season last weekend, as they were beaten 26-14 at St Helens. They’re still yet to win at home though, with their 3-4 record putting them in 8th spot in the table as we head into Easter weekend.
As for Cas, it was a familiar story last week as they were routinely beaten by Leigh at the Jungle, 6-20. That was their sixth loss in seven games this year, but on a positive not they’ve brought a few new faces through the door this week, so an improvement should be on the cards.
Team news
Josh Griffin is back for Wakefield this week, with the veteran replacing Jayden Myers. Otherwise, Trinity are unchanged from last weekend’s loss at Saints.
Castleford have named two of their three new boys in this week’s squad – Hugo Salabia and Jordan Dezaria, who have arrived on loan from Hull FC and Catalans Dragons, respectively. Tom Amone will have to wait until next week for his debut after joining from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 20-10 Castleford Tigers
I can see Wakefield finally getting off the mark at home this week against a struggling Tigers side. Castleford’s new signings will definitely improve them, but not enough to claim an unlikely victory this week.
Betting tips
Wakey are such odds-on favourites that the best value can probably be found in the Tigers camp. Lee Kershaw knows where the line is, so he’s my anytime try scorer tip at 9/4. I can’t ignore the home team completely, so I’d get on Lachlan Walmsley and Tom Johnstone both to score at 13/8 as well, but personally the Kershaw bet looks better value to me.
Friday 18th April – Hull FC vs Hull KR – MKM Stadium
Form guide
Oh we are truly blessed. Just two weeks after these sides met in the Challenge Cup, they do battle again in West Hull this week, with the Black and Whites looking for revenge after being knocked out at home.
They bounced back impressively in Super League last weekend, seeing off Warrington, 16-28, to stay 2nd in the table.
As for Rovers, they suffered their first loss of the year in any competition last weekend, as Wigan beat them 12-28, but the scoreline flattered the Warriors a little.
Team news
Denive Balmforth replaces Hugo Salabio in the only change for Hull FC from last weekend’s squad.
There’s good news for Hull KR this week, as Mikey Lewis returns to the squad after missing out last weekend. Harvey Horne and Leon Ruan also come in. Noah Booth and Eribe Doro have both gone out on loan this week, while Michael McIlorum suffered a ruptured bicep against former club Wigan last weekend.
My prediction – Hull FC 18-26 Hull KR
I predicted a close one between these two in the cup and ended up with a bit of egg on my face, but I think the Black and Whites will be better prepared for what’s to come this time around. That said, I still think Rovers have more quality and will nail the big moments when they come, but I can see the home side pushing them closer than they did two weeks ago.
Betting tips
There’s some great value in the try scoring markets in this one. Lewis Martin has impressed me every time I’ve seen him, and the 2/1 on him to score anytime looks a steal. For Rovers, I’d be going for Peta Hiku, who’s 7/4 for an anytime try. And if you fancy a small punt on a special, Lewis Martin to be Hull FC’s first try scorer and Joe Burgess to be Hull KR’s first try scorer is a very tempting 40/1.
Friday 18th April – Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens – The Brick Community Stadium
Form guide
If 1st vs 2nd in the Hull derby is the starter, then 3rd vs 4th is a hell of a main course to follow.
Wigan’s 12-28 win at Hull KR last weekend was a statement win after an indifferent few weeks, while Saints’ 26-14 win over Wakefield was also much needed after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup the previous week.
This game’s always huge, but with neither of these sides in the top two going into the Easter weekend, it feels even bigger than usual now they’ve got some serious competition from elsewhere.
Team news
Wigan have made one change to last weekend’s squad with Taylor Kerr replacing Harvey Makin, who’s headed out on loan to Salford this week.
St. Helens have lost James Bell and Harry Robertson from last week’s squad, but in better news there’s a return from concussion for Mark Percival. Daryl Clark and Ben Davies are both back as well.
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 22-10 St. Helens
I can see Wigan getting the job done in front of a sold out home crowd this week. If it was at the Totally Wicked, I’d probably flip the scoreline around, but with the Warriors playing in front of their own fans, I can’t see past them.
Betting tips
Bevan French always turns up for the big games, so he’s my Man of the Match tip at 4/1. At 1/1 for an anytime try, I’d be backing him in that market as well. I can see this being a tight game in the first half with Wigan potentially pulling away in the second, so 6/4 for them to have a 1-10 point half-time lead looks too good to pass up.
Friday 18th April – Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants – AMT Headingley Stadium
Form guide
The Rhinos have gone under the radar a little bit in recent weeks, but they look a great chance of a top six finish for me. Last week they saw off Salford 0-28 away, which I wouldn’t read too much into, but they still got the job done.
As for Huddersfield, they were soundly beaten 18-38 at home by Catalans Dragons to suffer their seventh loss in seven games, and with so many players still missing, it’s hard to see where the first win’s going to come from.
Team news
Kallum Watkins is set for his second Leeds debut after rejoining from Salford, but Mikolaj Oledzki misses out this week through suspension.
Oliver Wilson is back from suspension this week for Huddersfield. The Giants are still missing a host of first-teamers though, including Adam Swift, Adam Clune, Zac Woolford, Jack Murchie, Harry Rushton and Tui Lolohea. You can add Fenton Rogers to that ever-growing list, after the forward suffered a broken foot in last week’s loss to Catalans.
My prediction – Leeds Rhinos 32-6 Huddersfield Giants
It’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable home win in this one. Until the Giants get some bodies back, they’re likely to keep struggling, and Leeds should see this as a chance to sniff blood.
Betting tips
Leeds are 1/25, which tells you everything about this one. I’m seriously struggling to find much value in this game, but the best bet to me looks to be the 5/1 on Ryan Hall to score a try in each half. In the anytime try scorer market you can probably fill your boots with any of the Rhinos’ back line, but they’re all odds-on.
Saturday 19th April – Leigh Leopards vs Warrington Wolves – Leigh Sports Village
Form guide
Leigh got back to winning ways last weekend with a routine 6-20 win over struggling Castleford, having gone three games without a win in Super League.
Warrington have been very hit-and-miss themselves, and suffered a 16-28 home loss to Hull FC last weekend – a result which leaves them outside the top six coming into Easter.
Team news
The squads haven’t been named for this one yet, but in a big blow for Leigh, Tesi Niu will be missing for around four weeks with a pectoral tear. The centre has been a standout for the Leopards since moving over from the NRL for 2025. Josh Charnley and Ethan O’Neill are both in contention after injury, but Brad Martin has gone out on loan to Sheffield Eagles for the rest of the year.
Warrington have suffered a huge blow this week, with the news that George Williams will be missing for at least eight weeks. James Harrison is also missing for at least the next couple of weeks after playing through the pain barrier against Hull FC last week. In more bad news for the Wire, young fullback Cai Taylor-Wray is likely to be out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious injury in the reserves’ win over Hull FC last week.
My prediction – Leigh Leopards 18-10 Warrington Wolves
This one could go either way, but I’m backing the Leopards to inflict more misery on Warrington this week. The Wire have been very stop-start so far, and the loss of George Williams can’t be underestimated.
Betting tips
Leigh are 11/10 with a -4 handicap, which looks good value to me. They’re just 8/11 for the outright win, so the 11/8 on them at half-time/full-time looks much better.
Saturday 19th April – Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils – Stade Gilbert Brutus
Form guide
Catalans picked up a much-needed win over struggling Huddersfield last weekend, as they made it 3-4 in Super League so far. They do have a Challenge Cup semi-final to look forward to as well though, having beaten Salford in their last meeting just two weeks ago.
As for the Red Devils, it was another tough evening for them last week as they went down 0-28 to Leeds with a much-weakened squad, as per usual these days. Form’s almost irrelevant when talking about Salford though, but for the record, they’re 1-6 so far in Super League, and they’re averaging just six points per game. Just the fact they still exist is a credit to the fans, players and coaching staff who are keeping them going though.
Team news
Again, the squads haven’t been announced yet, but Catalans Dragons will definitely be missing Jordan Dezaria after he moved on loan to Castleford this week. Leo Darrelatour will be hoping for another call-up after making a try-scoring debut against Huddersfield.
Salford have brought in two more loan signings this week with Jake Thewlis and Harvey Makin bolstering the squad from Warrington and Wigan respectively. One player who looks unlikely to play this weekend is Deon Cross, after coach Paul Rowley revealed he hasn’t been training as he continues to be linked with a move to St. Helens.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 30-4 Salford Red Devils
This looks likely to be another case of ‘how many’ this week rather than a genuine contest. The Dragons have still to hit their stride though, but should pick up a comfortable two points here and boost their points difference in the process.
Betting tips
There are no markets available yet, so it’s hard to say where the value is. Catalans with a -20 handicap should be pretty safe though, and whilst you probably won’t get great odds on any of the backs getting a try, Tevita Pangai Junior could be a good outside tip after crossing against Huddersfield last weekend.
