Friday 15 February 2013 10:18, UK
Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor go head-to-head with their Super League predictions...
| Round | Barrie | Terry |
| Round 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Round 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Total | 11 | 9 |
Terry says: A lot of people think that Warrington dropped a point against Wigan. In the second half it was interesting to see that a lot of their senior players were coming up with some errors - players like Adrian Morley were forcing the pass which is not like him. Richie Myler was just exceptional for them though - people talk about Lee Briers being the master tactician for Wolves but Myler's reading of the game was very impressive. Despite being down to 12 men, Catalans still managed to beat Salford convincingly. I really like the way Catalans have started this season, they are a very good side and to score 40 points with just 12 men shows just how dangerous they are. Catalans themselves are going to be a different proposition away from home though and I'm going for Warrington after the disappointed of that draw with Wigan.
TERRY PREDICTS: Warrington by 12 points
Barrie says: I agree that Warrington were a little bit sloppy last week against Wigan. They made a lot of mistakes when they tried to overplay the game. Warrington were trying to play their way out of trouble but that is the way they play and it will win them more games than they lose. I expect Richie Myler to play a big role in this game too - he was man of the match for me against Wigan. Catalans were outstanding against Salford but I think away from their home turf they may not be as good and I expect Warrington to win a close game.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Warrington by 6 points
Terry says: The word Ian Millward would have used this week is consistency. Can Castleford back up that win against Leeds on Saturday? That was a great performance from them but in Super League when these games come thick and fast you have got to keep on performing. Bradford did look dangerous last week despite losing so if I did have to pick a side to win this then I will go for Bradford. The emotion of getting up for that big game against Leeds was have taken a bit too much out of Cas. Rangi Chase has also been banned for his shoulder charge on Zak Hardaker and he is going to be a big loss.
TERRY PREDICTS: Bradford by 8 points
Barrie says: West Yorkshire derbies are always fill of passion, unfortunately for Castleford they will have to do it without the influential Rangi Chase who is suspended. Bradford competed against Hull FC but could not quite match the levels they got too when they played Wakefield in round 1. I am expecting them to be better at home and expecting them to win. 
Terry says: In their first game when Hull lost to Leeds, I thought the halfbacks gave their forwards notdirection, but last week against Bradford they really bossed their big men around and that made a huge difference. St Helens are a great side full of talent but are just not gelling as well as they should be - however I think they are not far from it all coming together and I can see it all clicking. This could be a very interesting game and I think it will show us and Saints exactly where they are. Their game against Widnes was very close - a real old fashioned arm wrestle. It was only when Ben Cross was sent off did things start to go their way. I fancy St Helens to put on a real performance because the last time they played at home they were very disappointing.
TERRY PREDICTS: Saints by 16 points
Barry says: Widnes made St Helens work really hard last weekend and I think Saints are still a little clunky and not as fluid as you would expect a Saints side to be. Nathan Brown will be making subtle changes and just tinkering away at his side. I could almost see the progression in that eight minutes last week that they are getting better. Hull FC gave Bradford a good hiding last weekend and they will take a lot from that, however, I am expecting Saints to be just a little more fluid and to win this one.
BARRIE PREDICTS: St Helens by 16 points
Terry says: Seven days from this game Leeds will be taking on Melbourne in the World Club Challenge and there are definitely jerseys up for grabs. Leeds will be disappointed with their loss to Castleford but the Tigers just played the conditions better than Leeds. It was a real mud bath towards the end of the game. So I expect Leeds to really pick themselves up for Salford. As I have said before Salford give it their all and their players are prepared to do the hard work. Unfortunately you need that little bit of class too and they are missing that. I think this game is going to be a bit too much for them.
TERRY PREDICTS: Leeds by 30 points
Barrie says: You are right Terry, Leeds were out-enthused last weekend, Catleford really showed them how to play in that very gritty game. I am expecting Leeds to bounce back though. It is a torrid time for Phil Veivers and Salford. He is still trying to make the best out of what he has got, still trying to work with the players he has got.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Leeds by 38 points
Terry says:This is the game that I am really looking forward to more than anything this week! Huddersfield have been in great form and their forwards are taking no prisoners. If your forwards are in such rampant form then it is much easier for the halfbacks to use the ball and get right on the front foot. The way Paul Anderson rotates his big men means that there is never a reprieve for the opposition. However I was impressed with the Wigan forwards last week against Warrington, they are a pretty young bunch but took on a Wolves pack full of internationals and came out on top. It is not going to be easy to back it up against the likes of Eorl Crabtree, Stuart Fielden and Craig Kopczak. I think too much was made in the off season of Wigan losing Thomas Leuluai. Matty Smith has filled that void very well and I just think this Wigan side will step it up.
TERRY PREDICTS: Wigan to win by 8 points
Barrie says: I thought Wigan's young players played exceptionally well against Warrington. Greg Burke is a player I have been keeping a close eye on - he is not even 19 and already had a taste of first team action. I think they did enough to get the win against Warrington and I think they would have got the most of out the draw bearing in mind who was not available for them. For Huddersfield, Danny Brough needs to perform for them in this game. If he can use his kicking game and when that territorial battle and make Wigan come away from their own line, then that could put the game in Huddersfield favour. However Wigan will run hard and enthusiastically at the Giants and it should be a hard, close game. I am going for a Wigan victory.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Wigan by 6 points
Terry says: Last week both these sides had a man sent to the sin bin and in that time conceded tries. They have both started games well and have been competitive from the go - Hull KR lost Lincoln Withers when he got run over in the first minute by Justin Poore last week and they miss him there will be even more pressure on Michael Dobson to get his team around the park. Widnes are without Ben Cross who is suspended after his sending off last week against St Helens however it does give the opportunity for someone like Ben Kavanagh or Benn Davies to come in and prove themselves. I expect
TERRY PREDICTS: Widnes to win this one by eight points
Barrie says: I was impressed by Widnes against St Helens. They managed to stick together and defensively they stuck to their task. They are managing to keep scores quite low which will be boost their confidence. Hull KR are not performing to their best and that will be a concern, I think Widnes will cause an upset.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Widnes by 6
Terry says: When Tony Rea looked at the fixtures list this is probably one of the games that he targeted for the Broncos. Wakefield got a decent result last weekend though and the Broncos are really going to have to pick up their game. London Broncos will be hoping that Craig Gower is fit for this game. If he is back then they have a chance. Tim Smith is the indicator for Wakefield - some of the ball he set up for them against Hull KR was just superb. He is one hell of a good player.
TERRY PREDICTS: Wakefield by 10 points
Barrie says: London have a good record in this fixture as Wakefield do not tend to travel well down to the capital. However, with what we saw from Wakefield, last weekend, especially in the forwards; the criticism that Richard Agar gave them after their first round performance really spurred them on.
BARRIE PREDICTS: Wakefield by eight points
