Super League 2026 – Round 22 preview, predictions and tips
What a week it’s been in rugby league. Castleford have suspended their coach, John Bateman’s coming back to Super League, the Dublin double header has finally been locked in, and Huddersfield are letting everyone in for free this weekend.
Amongst all the news, it’s that last bit that’s got my attention, and we shouldn’t downplay the significance of this move by the Giants.
Put simply, if they can’t get a decent crowd this week when they’re literally giving tickets away for nothing, they might as well pack up and call it a day at the top level. I know plenty of neutrals would like to see that, but I really hope they get a good crowd in this weekend and start to turn things around, as they appear to be doing on the pitch.
Although, on that note, what would be considered a decent crowd? 5K? 10K? Personally, I’m leaning towards the latter, but anything above 5k would be a good starting point. If they can;t even pull in that mahy, then I do worry about them long-term.
Anyway, back to matters on the pitch, and 2nd vs 1st has crept in this week as the game of the round on Friday night. Again, I don’t want to repeat my rant from last week, but with no fictures on again this Sunday and no football being played either, surely Wakefield vs Leeds would be ideal viewing for a Sunday afternoon kick-off?
- Thursday 6th August – St Helens vs Hull FC
- Friday 7th August – Wakefield Trinity vs Leeds Rhinos
- Friday 7th August – Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR
- Friday 7th August – Leigh Leopards vs York Knights
- Saturday 8th August – Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons
- Saturday 8th August – Wigan Warriors vs Toulouse Olympique
- Saturday 8th August – Bradford Bulls vs Warrington Wolves
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 5th August 2026.
Thursday 6th August – St Helens vs Hull FC
Form guide
St Helens’ freefall out of the top six continued last week as they were beaten 34-32 at York. It was a fourth defeat in five for Saints, who are now two points behind Leigh in the battle for a play-off spot.
If Saints’ form is bad then Hull FC’s is even worse, with the Black and Whites losing 22-16 at Huddersfield last week. It was a seventh straight loss for FC, who are now just two points clear of 14th.
Team news
My prediction – St Helens 26-10 Hull FC
Saints must be delighted with how the fixtures have fallen this week, as this is the only one they currently look like winning. I’m backing a home win here, but it says more about the Black and Whites than it does St Helens. Still, a big enough win here would put them back in the top six for 24 hours at least.
Betting tips
With the form they’re in, there’s no way I’m backing St Helens with the -14 handicap on offer. Instead, I’ll get on Jacob Douglas and Harry Robertson for anytime tries when the market opens.
Friday 7th August – Wakefield Trinity vs Leeds Rhinos
Form guide
Wakefield have their sights firmly set on a first ever League Leaders’ Shield, with their 32-12 win over Catalans last week making it seven straight wins. They’re 2nd heading into this weekend, just two points behind their opponents.
Leeds coasted past Toulouse last week, with their 46-0 win keeping them at arm’s length from Trinity. The Rhinos have the best attack and defence by some distance this year, and their +440 points difference is 205 better than Wakefield’s.
Team news
My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 18-14 Leeds Rhinos
I don’t know why but I fancy Wakefield in this one. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the Rhinos win this and pull away from their neighbours, but this feels like a must-win for Trinity if they’re to be a serious contender come October, and I can see them nicking this.
Betting tips
Unsurprisingly, Leeds are favourites, so I’ll back Wakefield. To cover myself a little though, I’m taking the +4 handicap at 10/11. I’ll get on the 1-7 winning margin as well, which is 9/2.
Friday 7th August – Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR
Form guide
The Tigers suffered another big loss last week as they went down 48-18 at home to Warrington. That defeat saw them drop to 11th in the table.
Hull KR made it back-to-back wins with a 40-16 victory over Bradford Bulls. That saw them climb a place to 5th, but they’re just two points clear of 7th-placed St Helens.
Team news
My prediction – Castleford Tigers 12-40 Hull KR
This should be another routine victory for the Robins as they look to cement their top six spot. With Cas coach Ryan Carr missing this week, it’s an even bigger challenge thatn it was already for a side who have been playing for nothing but pride for weeks.
Betting tips
It’s big, but I’ll back Hull KR with a -20 handicap at 10/11. I’ll also back Tom Davies for an anytime try when the market opens.
Friday 7th August – Leigh Leopards vs York Knights
Form guide
Leigh saw their five-game winning run come to an end with a 20-8 loss at home to Wigan last week. That’s seen them slip a place to 6th.
York picked up another notable scalp with a 34-32 win over St Helens. That’s seen them climb to 10th in the table.
Team news
My prediction – Leigh Leopards 30-14 York Knights
Leigh are on a good run of form and I can’t see one loss derailing their season. They were excellent for 35 minutes against Wigan, and even in the second half it was only sloppy errors that cost them. York will put up a fight, but the Leopards should have too much for them.
Betting tips
The outright and handicap markets aren’t tempting me here, so instead I’ll back Josh Charnley and Umyla Hanley for anytime tries when the market opens.
Saturday 8th August – Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons
Form guide
The Giants have come back to life in recent weeks, and their 22-16 win over Hull FC was their second in a row. They’ve closed the gap on the Black and Whites to two points as they look to climb off the bottom.
Meanwhile, Catalans continue to sleepwalk to the end of the season. Their 32-12 loss to Wakefield last week was their fifth in the last six games. They remain 8th, with little danger of moving up or down before the end of the year.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced for this one yet. Catalans will have Ugo Tison available though after he escaped with a fine from the disciplinary earlier this week.
My prediction – Huddersfield Giants 24-16 Catalans Dragons
I have a sneaky feeling the Giants could make it three wins in a row this week. Catalans have been pretty dreadful this year, and Huddersfield will be keen to make an impression on any new fans taking advantage of a free ticket this week. I wouldn’t be too shocked to see them put on a bit of a show.
Betting tips
I don’t know when Huddersfield were last favourites for a game, but that’s the unlikely scenario we find ourselves in this week. They’re 10/11 with a -2 handicap, which I’ll be jumoing on. I’ll back George Flanagan for an anytime try as well when the market opens.
Saturday 8th August – Wigan Warriors vs Toulouse Olympique
Form guide
Wigan made it nine straight wins with their 20-8 victory over Leigh last weekend. They remain 3rd, but they’re just two points behind leaders Leeds.
Toulouse were soundly beaten 46-0 by Leeds last weekend. They remain 9th, but York and Castleford are now level on points.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced yet, but Wigan are expected to be without Adam Keighran again after he was a late withdrawal last week.
Toulouse will have Luke Polselli available after he escaped any further action at the discioplinary for head contact.
My prediction – Wigan Warriors 48-6 Toulouse Olympique
Wigan should win this fairly comfortably. The Warriors are flying right now, and Toulouse’s heavy defeat at Leeds may have taken the wind out of their sails a bit.
Betting tips
I’m not willing to back Wigan with a -34 handicap as Toulouse have proved they can match it with anyone on their day. Instead, I’ll back Zach Eckersley and Bevan French for anytime tries when the market opens.
Saturday 8th August – Bradford Bulls vs Warrington Wolves
Form guide
The Bulls were beaten 40-16 at Hull KR last weekend to suffer a seventh defeat in their last eight games. They remain in 12th.
Warrington beat Castleford 48-18 to remain 4th. It was just their second win in their last five games.
Team news
Again, squads haven’t been announced yet, but Bradford lost Guy Armitage, Connor Wynne and Ryan Sutton to injuries last weekend, so they’re all doubtful.
No news from Warrington yet. Captain George Williams is back in training, but this week’s likely to come too soon for him.
My prediction – Bradford Bulls 10-32 Warrington Wolves
Bradford’s season is just about done, so I’d expect the Wire to win this fairly routinely as they look to cement their top six spot with games to spare.
Betting tips
Warrington are 1/1 to win by 15+, which should be safe. I’ll back an anytime try for Matty Ashton as well when the market opens.
