Super League 2026 – Rivals Round preview, predictions and tips
It’s one of the best weekends of the season in Super League, as the rivals all go head to head for the first time in 2026.
We’re used to seeing the Hull derby and Saints vs Wigan, but how great is it to see Bradford and Leeds do battle again after so long?
Saturday’s games aren’t quite as intense as rivalries go, but Castleford and Wakefield is a great way to round out the weekend on Easter Sunday.
Let’s take a cloer look at all seven games this weekend…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 1st April 2026.
- Friday 3rd April – Hull KR vs Hull FC
- Friday 3rd April – St Helens vs Wigan Warriors
- Friday 3rd April – Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos
- Saturday 4th April – Huddersfield Giants vs York Knights
- Saturday 4th April – Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards
- Saturday 4th April – Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique
- Sunday 5th April – Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
Friday 3rd April – Hull KR vs Hull FC
Form guide
The Robins finally got their stuttering season back up and running last week with a 52-10 mauling of St Helens. The win leaves them 9th with a 2-3 record.
The Black and Whites made it back-to-back wins last week, with their 24-20 win over Catalans following hot on the heels of victory over Leeds. They’re in 7th with a 3-3 record so far.
Team news
Karl Lawton and Harvey Horne come into the Hull KR squad this week. They replace Jordan Dezaria and Bill Leyland, who have gone to St Helens on loan.
Hull FC have made four changes this week. Will Kirby, Ben Johnson, Brad Fash and Lennon Clark all drop out. Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer and Joe Batchelor are all welcome returns, and there’s a spot for local lad Ryan Westerman too.
My prediction – Hull KR 28-16 Hull FC
Now the champions are up and running, I can’t see them losing at home to their fiercest rivals. The Black and Whites will put up a fight, but the Robins’ quality should shine through.
Betting tips
There are only a few markets open at the moment, and 1/9 for the KR victory isn’t worth it. When the anytime try market opens, I’ll be backing Joe Burgess, and for a bit of an outsider with more value, Dean Hadley.
Friday 3rd April – St Helens vs Wigan Warriors
Form guide
Saints were hammered last time out in a 52-10 loss at Hull KR. They sit 5th in the table with a 4-2 record.
Wigan suffered their first defeat of the season in a shock 34-16 loss at home to Huddersfield. The Warriors remain top though.
Team news
Injury-hit St Helens have made three changes to their squad from last weekend. Mark Percival and George Delaney both picked up injuries against Hull KR, while Cole Marsh also drops out. Bill Leyland and Jordan Dezaria both come into the squad after arriving on loan from Hull KR, and youngster Chris Matagi.
Wigan make just one change, but it’s a significant one. Jai Field is back from injury in place of Jonny Vaughan.
My prediction – St Helens 10-22 Wigan Warriors
With the number of players Saints have missing, Wigan should be sniffing blood here. My only doubts are the fact this is a derby match and the Warriors’ dreadful display against Huddersfield last week, but I’d expect them to perform much better here.
Betting tips
Wigan have been given just a -4 handicap, which I’m jumping straight on at 10/11. The 11/10 in the half-time/full-time market looks solid too.
Friday 3rd April – Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos
Form guide
The Bulls were beaten 40-28 at Castleford last week, but they sit 6th in the table with a 3-3 record.
Leeds bounced back from a couple of losses to beat Warrington 26-22 in Round Six. They’re in 3rd with a 4-2 record.
Team news
Eliot Peposhi is back for Bradford after a ban, but Eribe Doro isn;t quite ready for a return yet.
Leeds have named an unchanged 21-man-squad from the one that saw off Warrington last week.
My prediction – Bradford Bulls 12-18 Leeds Rhinos
The Bulls have made a great start to life back in Super League, but I can’t see them having enough to beat their local rivals here. The Rhinos should have just a little too much quality here.
Betting tips
Leeds have been given a -16 handicap, which looks a little strong to me. With that in mind I’m backing Bradford at +16, which is 10/11. I’ll also be getting on Maika Sivo for an anytime try when the market opens. I expect the odds to be very short, so I’ll be going for Jack Bird as well.
Saturday 4th April – Huddersfield Giants vs York Knights
Form guide
The Giants finally got off the mark with a magnificent 34-16 win at Wigan last time out. They remain bottom, but only two points separate them from 9th-placed Hull KR.
York were beaten 26-14 at home by Wakefield, which leaves them in 11th with a 2-4 record.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced yet, but Huddersfield’s Asher O’Donnell suffered a blow to the head last week and looks doubtful.
York had three players charged by the disciplinary last week, but they’ve all avoided bans. Danny Richardson, Ben Jones-Bishop, Sam Wood and Toa Mata’afa are all doubtful through injury though.
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 30-18 York Knights
After beating Wigan last week, confidence should be sky high for the Giants players. They had a few return from injury in that game, and assuming everyone’s good to go again this week, they should fancy their chances against a York side who are holding their own in Super League, but lacking in experience.
Betting tips
The Giants have been given a -10 handicap in this one, which I’m not overly confident of taking. When the try markets open, I’ll be getting on Tanguy Zenon and Adam Clune for anytime scores.
Saturday 4th April – Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards
Form guide
The Wire suffered their first defeat of the season in their last outing, when they went down 26-22 at Leeds. They remain 2nd with a game in hand on leaders Wigan.
The Leopards squeezed past Toulouse in Golden Point last week as they won 21-20. It was just their second win of the season and sees them sitting in 12th.
Team news
Again, squads haven’t been announced, but Kelepi Tanginoa picked up a groin injury for Warrington last week, so he’s doubtful.
Tesi Niu and Jack Hughes are likely to be missing for Leigh after picking up injuries last week, but Owen Trout and Joe Ofahengaue are expected to be back this weekend.
My prediction – Warrington Wolves 24-14 Leigh Leopards
This is a game the Wire should be expecting to win. The Leopards have injury issues to contend with amd Warrington have started the season in fine form.
Betting tips
Warrington should be ok with a -8 handicap at 10/11. I’ll also be backing Josh Thewlis for an anytime try when the market opens.
Saturday 4th April – Catalans Dragons vs Toulouse Olympique
Form guide
The Dragons were beaten 24-20 at Hull FC last weekend to sit in 8th with a 3-3 record.
Newly-promoted Toulouse are two points and two places further back with a 2-4 record. They were agonisingly beaten 21-20 by Leigh last week.
Team news
Ben Garcia failed his HIA last week, so he’ll definitely be out for Catalans. Alrix Da Costa suffered a leg injury, so he’s a doubt.
There’s no news out of Toulouse this week, but on-loan Wigan man Tiaki Chan could be in line for his debut.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 24-16 Toulouse Olympique
This is one of those games where the established Super League side should be looking to flex their muscles against a newly-promoted team. I’d expect Toulouse to have a good go at their fellow Frenchmen here, but the Dragons should edge it.
Betting tips
Again, I’m not convinced by the big handicap here, which is -14. Instead, I’m looking at the 8-14 winning margin at 10/3. I’m also backing Leo Darrelatour for an anytime try when the market opens.
Sunday 5th April – Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
Form guide
The Tigers picked up their second win of the season with a 40-28 win over Bradford in Round Six. They sit 13th with a 2-4 record.
Wakefield also beat a newly-promoted side, as they beat York 26-14. Trinity are up in 4th with a 4-2 record so far.
Team news
Squads haven’t been named yet, but Semi Valemei will definitely miss out for Castleford after failing his HIA last weekend. Jimmy Beckett’s also a definite out, as he went on loan to Goole Vikings this week.
Wakefield’s Jazz Tevaga was charged twice after last week’s win at York, but he’s avoided a ban, so Trinity are likely to make minimal changes to the squad this week.
My prediction – Castleford Tigers 14-20 Wakefield Trinity
I’m expecting a close battle here, but Trinity should have a little too much quality for their neighbours.
Betting tips
Wakefield in the half-time/full-time market looks better value at 11/10 than an outright win. I’ll also get on Tom Johnstone for an anytime try when the market opens.
