Round 25 Preview

Last week's set of Betfred Super League fixtures saw changes in the league standings, with just three regular rounds to go. Will we see more in Round 25 as the League Leaders' Shield and Play-Off race reaches its boiling point?

Don't miss any of the action!

Friday 6 September

Wigan Warriors v Hull KR (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

Who’s excited for this one? The top two of the Betfred Super League will clash at The Brick Community Stadium on Friday night in the race for the League Leaders’ Shield, where the winner of this game will go two points clear at the top.

It’s a highly anticipated showdown with both teams high-flying in 2024 and playing an attractive attacking brand of Rugby League.

Both sides have also conceded the joint fewest tries of any sides in this season’s Super League, so it's going to be difficult to break down each other’s defence in this one. And as the season reaches its heights, be sure to expect an exhilarating encounter.

The Warriors have won 12 of their last 15 Super League matches, including each of their last three, while Hull KR have won each of their last eight in the competition by an average margin of 23 points.

With a battle of the best in Round 25, who will come out on top?

The Warriors head coach Matt Peet has made two changes to his squad as Harry Smith and Liam Farrell return in place of Jacob Douglas and Kian McDermott.

For Hull KR, James Batchelor returns to contention after serving his one-match penalty notice, with George King dropping out.

? The top two collide!

? Secure your seat this Friday night! ? https://t.co/MZLvisYokd#WWRL #SLWIGHKR pic.twitter.com/4ptjWh0f8i

— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) September 3, 2024

Castleford Tigers v Leigh Leopards (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

The Leopards are unstoppable, and incredibly broke into the top six last Friday – a place they will be looking to stay from now until the end of the regular season.

They shouldn’t underestimate the Tigers, however, who picked up a confident 20-39 win against Hull FC last weekend.

It will also be their second meeting at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in 2024, where the Leigh emerged 10-20 victors in Round 20. Prior to this, a gritty game of Rugby League unfolded in Round 10 and ended in a well-deserved draw between the two cats.

Now sitting in sixth, a Play-Off place is the Leopards’ to lose, but can they continue their unbeaten run?

Castleford's Will Tate misses out due to an injury sustained in the Hull FC fixture as well as Liam Horne and Sylvester Namo who miss out due to suspension. Jacob Miller, Nixon Putt and Fletcher Rooney all return to the squad.

John Asiata returns to the Leigh side.

Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC (20.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

Brad Arthur's Rhinos sit just outside the top six and will face Hull FC in Round 25. This will be the third time they meet with the Black & Whites, having travelled to the MKM Stadium twice in Rounds 9 and 14.

But on Friday night, they will be playing under the lights at AMT Headingley Stadium and will hope a bumper crowd can cheer them on to a victory.

Their previous meetings this year have seen two tight contests unfold, but it’s a must-win game for Leeds if they are to keep their Play-Off chances alive.

The Rhinos welcome back prop Mikolaj Oledzki for Friday's clash. Oledzki has missed the last four games with a rib injury and comes in to replace Mickael Goudemand in the only change to the 21-man squad.  

Hull have made three changes to the squad with Jed Cartwright, Matty Laidlaw, and Tiaki Chan all included into the side replacing Danny Houghton, Leon Ruan and Ryan Westerman.

Saturday 7 September

Warrington Wolves v St Helens (15.00) – live on Sky Sports

Saturday has two scintillating spectacles in store – starting with 3^rd v 4^th. Warrington Wolves welcome St Helens to the Halliwell Jones Stadium and will be looking to complete a Super League double over their rivals in 2024.

St Helens have won their last four away meetings with Warrington, but Sam Burgess will be hoping his Wolves can bounce back from their defeat to the Leopards last Friday. Meanwhile, Saints will be boosted by their victory over Huddersfield in Round 24.

Warrington are without Paul Vaughan who serves the first of a three-game suspension, and front-rower James Harrison is also absent with a lower leg injury. 

Meanwhile, Saints are boosted by the return of Jack Welsby who is named in the 21-man squad for the first time since Round 19. They are still without Tommy Makinson, however, who serves the second game of his two-match penalty notice.

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Saturday. 3pm. Don't miss this one ?

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) September 3, 2024

Salford Red Devils v Catalans Dragons (17.30) – live on BBC Two, Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

The second game of Saturday is a crucial clash for both sides and will be shown live on BBC Two.

Salford will play hosts to Catalans in a massive Play-Off encounter and will be hoping to right their wrongs from Round 24, where Hull KR defeated them 32-12.

Catalans’ inconsistent form also saw them lose last weekend, as well as dramatically drop out of the top six.

A win on Saturday would see the Dragons back in it, who beat the Red Devils in their Round 17 meeting in the south of France, 20-0.

Salford were last victorious against Catalans in 2022 at the Salford Stadium. They have home advantage this time around - a place where they have won their last six matches...

There's just one change to Paul Rowley's side and it comess in the forwards - Loghan Lewis – who is suffering with a groin issue – drops out and Gil Dudson returns to the fold.

For Catalans, Sam Tomkins, Tariq Sims and Jarrod Wallace are back in the squad and replace Chris Satae, Yacine Ben Abdeslem and Ben Lam.

All the tries from a ??? ??? performance against the Dragons in 2022! ?? pic.twitter.com/zIgd9VVpwr

— Salford Red Devils ? (@SalfordDevils) September 2, 2024

Sunday 8 September

Huddersfield Giants v London Broncos (15.00) – live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+

The concluding fixture of Round 25 sees Huddersfield at home to London. The aim for both sides is to finish as high as possible, and a win for the Broncos could lift them off the bottom of the table for the first time in 2024…

? Vintage Swifty when we faced the Broncos in Round 6!

We meet again on Sunday...#CowbellArmy ?? pic.twitter.com/vBBnYCvo1q

— Huddersfield Giants ?? (@Giantsrl) September 3, 2024

Fans can find all of the relevant information and kick-off times for these Round 25 fixtures here.

For information on SuperLeague+ and how to purchase your passes, click here.