Super League 2026 – Round 23 preview, predictions and tips
There’s never a dull moment in rugby league is there?
This week we’ve seen Huddersfield announce they’re moving nine miles away from the town, Wigan and Warrington have sold over 5,500 tickets in 24 hours for their match in Dublin next April, while Hull FC are rumoured to be on the brink of signing Daly Cherry-Evans.
With all that going on, it’s easy to forget there’s a whole round of fixtures to be played this week, with Leeds vs Leigh looking like the standout.
We also have the bonus of three Thursday night matches this week, due to Hull KR and Warrington having a Tuesday fixture next week.
There’s very little room for error for everyone who’s still playing for something, so without further ado, here’s how I see things going this week…
- Thursday 13th August – Leeds Rhinos vs Leigh Leopards
- Thursday 13th August – Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons
- Thursday 13th August – Warrington Wolves vs York Knights
- Friday 14th August – Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers
- Saturday 15th August – Wakefield Trinity vs St Helens
- Saturday 15th August – Bradford Bulls vs Wigan Warriors
- Saturday 15th August – Toulouse Olympique vs Huddersfield Giants
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 12th August 2026.
Thursday 13th August – Leeds Rhinos vs Leigh Leopards
Form guide
The Rhinos just about won their top-of-the-table clash with Wakefield last week in a 24-22 comeback victory. It was their third win in a row, and it’s kept them two points clear of Wigan in the battle for the League Leaders’ Shield.
Leigh bounced back from their defeat by Wigan to beat York, 22-14. They remain 6th, but have a four-point cushion over St Helens.
Team news
My prediction – Leeds Rhinos 24-14 Leigh Leopards
It’s hard to see past Leeds in this one. I’ve been impressed with Leigh’s turnaround in climbing into the top six, but I can still see them coming up just short against the very best sides in the competition.
Betting tips
I’ll go for Leeds to win by 8-14 points at 10/3. I’m also backing under 48.5 points, which is 10/11.
Thursday 13th August – Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons
Form guide
After a bit of a wobble, Hull KR have won their last three to sit comfortably in 5th. They beat Castleford 44-0 last week.
Catalans have just been drifting towards the end of the season, and they were beaten 42-20 by Huddersfield last week. They still sit firmly in 8th.
Team news
My prediction – Hull KR 42-12 Catalans Dragons
Hull KR should win this pretty routinely. The Dragons have been sleepwalking their way to the end of the season, while the Robins are generally coasting through games like this.
Betting tips
The markets are all so heavily weighted towards the Robins, that I’m not seeing much value here. Instead, I’ll back Tom Davies and Joe Burgess for anytime tries. I’ll make it a double as well to make the odds more favourable.
Thursday 13th August – Warrington Wolves vs York Knights
Form guide
Warrington have been quietly going about their business, and their 42-4 win over Bradford last week made it three wins from their last four games to sit 4th.
York were beaten 22-14 by Hull KR last week, but they remain 10th after that defeat.
Team news
My prediction – Warrington Wolves 36-18 York Knights
Warrington should take another big step towards the top four here. York will have a crack, but the Wire – boosted by the return of George Williams – should have far too much for the Knights.
Betting tips
Again, there’s not loads of value here, so I’ll back Josh Thewlis and Albert Hopoate for anytime tries at 4/6 and 4/5. The double pays 2/1, so I’ll get on that as well for some more value.
Friday 14th August – Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers
Form guide
Hull FC ended a run of seven straight defeats with a gutsy 32-18 win at St Helens last week. They’ve climbed a place to 12th with that victory.
Castleford were beaten 44-0 by Hull KR to remain 11th. The Tigers have lost their last three games, conceding 144 points in the process.
Team news
My prediction – Hull FC 28-14 Castleford Tigers
This one could really go either way, but the Black and Whites put in a good performance at Saints last week, whereas the Tigers’ season continues to crumble. I’m leaning towards the home side, but not with any great confidence.
Betting tips
Hull are massive favourites, which seems a bit odd to me given their form. That said, I don’t trust Castleford enough to take the +16 handicap. Instead, I’ll back Harvey Barron and Davy Litten for anytime tries when the market opens.
Saturday 15th August – Wakefield Trinity vs St Helens
Form guide
Wakefield have dropped to 3rd after last week’s agonising 24-22 loss to Leeds, which ended a run of seven straight wins.
St Helens fifth dfeat in six games has left their play-off hopes hanging by a thread. They were beaten 32-18 by Hull FC to fall four points behind 6th-placed Leigh.
Team news
Squads haven’t been announced yet, but Wakefield will have Caleb Hamlin-Uele available after he escaped a ban at the disciplinary.
George Whitby limped down the tunnel for St Helens last week, so he’s a doubt. Nene Macdonald could make his return from injury though.
My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 30-16 St Helens
I can see Trinity bouncing back with a victory this week and putting the final nail in Saints’ play-off hopes in the process. It’ll take a monumental effort from the away side to get a win here, and I don’t think they have it in them.
Betting tips
Again, the odds are so heavily in Wakefield’s favour that I’m not seeing too much value. So, I’ll be backing Josh Rourke and Tom Johnstone for anytime tries instead.
Saturday 15th August – Bradford Bulls vs Wigan Warriors
Form guide
Bradford’s season continues to peter out, as they were beaten 42-4 at home by Warrington. They’ve lost eight of their last nine games, and last week’s defeat has seen them drop to 13th.
Wigan are flying, and their 48-18 win over Toulouse last week has seen them climb to 2nd. It was their 10th win in a row in Super League, and 11th overall.
Team news
Again, it’s too early for squad news but Bradford will be without Jayden Nikorima. He pulled out in the warm-up last week and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Wigan have lost Brad O’Neill and Sam Walters to bans. O’Neill will miss one game, while Walters has been suspended for two.
My prediction – Bradford Bulls 6-38 Wigan Warriors
Anything other than a comfortable Wigan win would be a surprise here. The Bulls have run out of steam, while the Warriors have found form right in time for the run-in.
Betting tips
I’ll be backing Zach Eckersley and Bevan French for anytime tries when the market opens. I’ll be doing it as a double, as I don’t think there’ll be much value on the two singles.
Saturday 15th August – Toulouse Olympique vs Huddersfield Giants
Form guide
Toulouse were beaten 48-18 at Wigan last week to extend their losing run to three games. They remain 9th on points difference.
Huddersfield’s 42-20 win over Catalans meant it’s three wins in a row for the Giants. They remain bottom, but they’re now just two points behind Hull FC and Bradford Bulls.
Team news
Toulouse will have Anthony Marion available after he escaped without punishment from the disciplinary.
No news out of the Huddersfield Giants camp so far this week.
My prediction – Toulouse Olympique 14-20 Huddersfield Giants
A few weeks ago I’d have put good money on the home side winning this, but fast forward a few games and the Giants look a different proposition. Toulouse were missing a few players against Wigan as well, and assuming they’re not back, I can see Huddersfield potentially climbing off the foot of the table here.
Betting tips
Toulouse are slight favourites, so I’ll back the Giants to win at 6/5. I’ll also back Paul Ulberg for an anytime try when the market opens.
