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Round 26 Preview

8 hrs

Round 26 Preview

We’ve reached the Penultimate Round of the 2025 Betfred Super League!

Remember, the League Leaders’ Shield winners are yet to be crowned, but that could happen this week. At the same time, there are two teams fighting tooth and nail for the final Play-Off spot – which also could be confirmed this week!

You can read the FULL Round 26 Play-Off permutations HERE.

Here’s what’s coming up in Round 26…

Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons (20.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

The Rhinos are back in action at AMT Headingley Stadium on Thursday Night, but will they make it six straight wins?

Leeds suffered defeat at the hands of the Dragons back in Round 4 – an 11-0 loss in the south of France.

We’ve come a long way since then, however, and the Rhinos are in with a real chance of snatching second place if they can continue their impressive form…

For the hosts, there are multiple changes to this week's team. Tom Holroyd returns after ten weeks out, whilst Keenan Palasia is also back available after two weeks on the side-lines. Both have been injured.

Young centre Max Simpson returns to the squad having completed his return to play protocol following head injury suffered at Hull FC.

One massive omission in Round 26 is their key playmaker Jake Connor - who will miss this week's game as he rests a rib injury from last Thursday's win at Huddersfield. Can they produce the same stunning attack without him?

Presley Cassell also misses out this week, along with Zak Lloyd.

There are a number of changes to the Dragons 21-man squad. Tariq Sims, Fouad Yaha, Julian Bousquet, Luke Keary, Tommy Makinson, Tanguy Zénon and Léo Darrélatour are all back in the squad and replace Alrix Da Costa, Franck Maria, Tevita Pangai Jr, Matthieu Laguerre, Lenny Marc, Giovanni Descalzi and Denive Balmforth.

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Leigh Leopards v St Helens (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

There’s an enormous clash at the Leigh Sports Village on Friday Night, where the Leopards will be hoping that they can put on ‘The Greatest Show’ as they set their sights on securing their highest ever Super League finish, as well as a home Eliminator.

Leigh have won seven of their last ten Super League matches. This includes victories to Wigan and Hull KR, as well as Saints in Round 19, before more recently beating the likes of Salford, Castleford and Warrington to put themselves right in the mix for the top four.

Adrian Lam’s men have found ways to win this season; not only have they picked up expected points against the lower clubs, but they’ve also been able to overturn clubs at the top of the competition tree.

Meanwhile, St Helens have lost their last two matches against the top two and will be tested once again when they make the trip across to Leigh.

Paul Wellens will no doubt be expecting a response from the Red V after their disappointing derby loss in Rivals Round Returns.

It’s not beyond the Saints though, who had been on a remarkable run of form until Round 24…

Whatever the result, it should turn out to be a cracker!

For the Leopards, there's no Tesi Niu, who is swapped out with Joe Ofahengaue.

Saints have made three changes to last week's derby squad against Wigan, with young Saints Leon Cowen, Jake Davies and Cole Marsh stepping out of the 21-man squad.

Jon Bennison, George Delaney and new signing Shane Wright come into the team.

Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers (20.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

The champions entertain Castleford at The Brick Community Stadium in Round 26.

Wigan are back at home for their last two matches and will be hoping to further cement themselves in second place with two more wins.

This would also ensure another game in front of their home fans, for as we already know, a home Semi-Final tie comes with finishing in second.

The Warriors have raised their game in The Final Charge and are hunting down a fourth successive win. Their wizard Bevan French has been pivotal in their recent rally.

The Tigers haven’t tasted victory at Wigan’s ground since 2017, but they’ll be sure to give it a good crack, having taken confidence from their brilliant win over Wakefield in Rivals Round Returns.

They also came excruciatingly close to beating the Warriors in their June meeting. The Tigers had been leading before Liam Farrell’s late try cruelly snatched the victory from their grasp. The final score ended 20-26.

Matt Peet has made one change to his Wigan squad as Adam Keighran is replaced by Patrick Mago.

Wakefield Trinity v Hull KR (17.30) – live on Sky Sports

There’s a monumental clash on Saturday when sixth-placed Wakefield Trinity host league leaders Hull KR - and the DIY Kitchens Stadium is nearing a sell out.

Trinity blew a golden opportunity last week in Rivals Round Returns. They could have created distance between themselves and seventh-placed Hull FC in the table, but failed to perform against their nearest and dearest - a side who ensured to put the class back in Cas just in time for their derby.

This now leaves Wakefield just one point ahead of the Black & Whites with two regular rounds remaining, so they are by no means home and dry just yet.

They also face a massive challenge in Round 26, for standing in their way of a crucial two points are Willie Peters’ Robins, who with a victory, would finally win the League Leaders’ Shield.

It doesn’t get much bigger than this in the penultimate round.

For Wakefield, it’s finishing on home soil where they started in 2025.

Trinity faced the Robins in their opening home game of the season back in Round 2 – a game which cooked up an absolute thriller.

Only Tom Davies’ try off the crossbar separated the two sides and it’s set to be another pulsating contest, especially with what’s riding on the fixture.

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Can the newly promoted edge one step closer to a Play-Off position? Or will Hull KR head back to East Hull with another piece of silverware heading into their cabinet?

Hull FC v Warrington Wolves (17.30) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

At the same time as Wakefield’s meeting with Hull KR, Hull FC will welcome Warrington the MKM Stadium.

The Play-Off fight isn’t over yet for the Black & Whites, but they will have to win both of their matches and hope that their cross-city rivals Hull KR can also do them a favour.

John Cartwright’s men are low on troops due to a string of injuries and suspensions but the knowledge that their top six hopes are still alive should motivate any player pulling on an FC shirt.

Whatever the outcome, it’s been a great turnaround for a club that finished 11th last year, with just three wins to their name.

Will the battle for sixth spot go down to the final round?

Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils (15.00) – live on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+

Round 26 concludes with the Giants hosting Salford at the Accu Stadium.

Huddersfield may sit slightly higher in the table, but it was the Red Devils who won their last meeting 24-10 back in March...

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Betfred Super League will return on Thursday Night for the penultimate round (Round 26) - with all six games broadcasted LIVE as The Final Charge continues...

Fans can find all the relevant information and kick-off times for the Round 26 fixtures here.

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

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