How will it all end?

10 Sep 2019

How will it all end?

It's gonna be a huge night in Super League this Friday at both ends of the table....

Many things are yet to be resolved in the play-offs and relegation battle as we head into the final round of the Betfred Super League.

So far only 1stplace is confirmed in the top 5, with St Helens being run-away League Leaders all is still play for in the race for Old Trafford. Whilst at the foot of the table four teams are grouped on 20 points with just points difference separating them after 28 pulsating rounds of games.

Let’s look game by game at the permutations for each team in Round 29; 

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers

Wigan face Castleford in the round opener and a win for Wigan will see them confirm second place and a home game in week 1 of the play-offs. However, a Wigan loss means second place is still up for grabs and the Warriors could finish either 2nd, 3rd or 4th depending on other results.

Castleford need a win to confirm a top 5 finish (barring a huge points swing for Hull FC), and depending on other results this week the Tigers could finish as high as 3rd.

Hull FC v St Helens

Hull will be hoping Wigan do them a favour on Thursday night and beat Castleford to keep FC’s play-off hopes alive for when they face Saints on Friday night, but if Castleford win then Hull realistically are unable to make the top 5.

Hull’s points difference could prove to be the deciding factor and realistically only a Castleford loss and Hull win will see them into the play-offs.

With Holbrook moving on at the end of the season, Saints will be looking to finish the season on high and carry that form into the play-offs, before hopefully reaching Old Trafford.

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves

Warrington found their first win in six last weekend and will hope to build on that with victory over Leeds. A win for Wire, would not only give them confidence going into the play-offs but could also mean they finish second, should Wigan lose to Castleford. 

Whilst Warrington can still mathematically miss out on the play-offs, the size of defeat or win needed means it is highly unlikely. However, a loss to Leeds could see Warrington finish 4th or 5th meaning they lose the “extra life?? in the play-offs for finishing in the top 3.

Leeds are one of only two teams who effectively have nothing to play for in the final round as they can neither be relegated or make up ground on the teams above. Having announced Richard Agar as permanent Head Coach, it’s sure they will want to finish the season with a win though.

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR 

This is a huge game at both ends of the table!

This season’s surprise package in most people’s eyes, Salford are in with a chance of finishing the season in 2nd place. A Wigan win on Thursday would mean the highest the Red Devils could finish would be 3rd, however if Wigan lose and Warrington fail to pick up points against Leeds, Salford would finish in 2nd place. 

Should Salford lose to Rovers, the lowest they could finish mathematically is 6th however that would need an unrealistic swing in points difference, so they’ve all but confirmed a top 5 finish and a place in end of season play-offs.

Hull KR’s loss to London in Round 28 has well and truly blown the relegation battle wide open as we head into the final round. With four teams now level on 20 points it could all come down to points difference on Friday night! 

If Rovers lose to Salford, they will have to hope that London lose to Wakefield or Huddersfield lose to Catalans by a margin of 13 points more than they lose to Salford. A Rovers win would see them safe, unless London can beat Wakefield by a significant margin.

Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons

Following four back to back losses, Catalans’ season is over but Huddersfield are far from safe and need a win to secure their Super League status for 2020. 

A Giants win would see them safe, barring a big win by London to overturn a 66 points difference. Should Giants lose, they just need to hope that either London or Rovers lose by a points margin that is more than they lose by to Catalans, with just 12 points separating Giants and Rovers.

It could all come down to points difference between Huddersfield, Hull KR and London with just 66 points separating the three teams, so a big win, or loss could make a big difference.

Wakefield Trinity v London Broncos

Is this the biggest game of the season? It could be a winner takes all game with the relegation and survival on the line. 

A Wakefield win should guarantee them a Super League place for 2020 and more than likely condemn London back to the Championship. 

A London win would mean they will still need Hull KR or Huddersfield to lose to avoid the drop due to points difference.

Round 29 Fixtures

Thursday 12th September

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers (Sky Sports, 7:45pm KO)

Friday 13th September (7:45pm KO)

Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons

Hull FC v St Helens

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR

Wakefield v London Broncos (Sky Sports)

Tickets to the biggest night in Super League are on sale now. Book before midnight on Monday 16 September 2019 and save 10% off selected tickets. For more information and to book visit www.superleague.co.uk/tickets

Got a group of friends, colleagues or team-mates that want to come to the Grand Final? Book 15 or more tickets before September 26 and save up to 40%. For more information call 0330 1281996 or email groups@superleague.co.uk