League of their own

Q: All ready for the off Dave? Who do you see as the side most likely to finish top of the table in the regular season.

A: Yes it's a very busy time and always an exciting time of the year both as a trader and as a fan of the game. If I had to pick a side out at this stage it would be St Helens (10/3).

I know they have lost the last five Grand Finals but deserve recognition for their consistent performances year-on-year and 2012 could see them lift the League Leaders shield, which they last won in 2008.

They had numerous injuries last season which enabled head coach Royce Simmons to blood a number of exciting academy products and although they have lost pack leader James Graham during the off-season, it could be argued that they have significantly strengthened the squad with the capture of Mark Flanagan, Antony Laffranchi and Lance Hohaia from the NRL.

Q: What about Warrington? They were the best side for long spells last season before blowing up again when it came to the play-offs.

A: Warrington (9/4) have history against them if they are to retain their regular season title, as only Saints have achieved the feat during the Super League era. They have an ageing squad too, and it could prove to be just beyond Tony Smith's team in 2012.

Key players Brett Hodgson, Lee Briers and Adrian Morley are all now the wrong side of 30 and their focus will probably be on attaining a first ever Super League Grand Final appearance - finishing top won't be as important as in 2011.

Q: Leeds were poor for long spells last term before eventually winning the Grand Final. Will they be the team to beat again?

A: Leeds (9/2) really are a champion team, having won four out of the last five Super League Grand Finals. The League Leaders shield could be within their reach during 2012 but the distraction of the World Club Challenge game against Manly could make it difficult in the early stages of the season for Brian McDermott's men. A first Challenge Cup victory since 1999 could be the main objective for the players who have won every other domestic medal on offer.

Q: Do you think there is a side capable of coming through and surprising everyone?

A: Catalans (18/1) could be genuine contenders for the top four in 2012 with the additions of Leon Pryce and Louis Anderson to a decent-looking squad. A sixth-place finish in their first season under the tutelage of Trent Robinson was a decent effort and with a more settled squad this time around big things should be expected of the French.

Q: What about the other top eight contenders?

Of the rest I think Wigan (5/2), Huddersfield and Hull will be battling for spots five to seven in the table and it could be a real scrap for the eighth spot between Bradford, Castleford, Hull KR, London, Salford and Wakefield.

Q: You don't hold out much hope for Widnes on their return to the top flight then?

A: Their coach Dennis Betts won't be under the usual pressure of having to win at all costs and although Widnes have recruited fairly well for 2012 the gulf in class between the Championship and Super League will be too much for the Vikings. They are a safe bet (5/6) to pick up the wooden spoon in my eyes. Not surprisingly Betts is also the favourite (9/2) to be the first coach to leave before the Magic Weekend.

Q: Who are the men to watch in the top try-scorer market?

A: Statistically three wingers stand out with having a major chance namely Josh Charnley (10/1), Joel Monaghan (7/1) and Ryan Hall (7/1). Some facts worth considering are that Charnley has bagged 26 tries in his last 30 regular season appearances for Wigan.

Monaghan is another leading contender having scored 23 regular season tries in 22 games during his debut season for Warrington while Hall has scored racked up 84 tries in 89 games during the last four regular seasons.

A couple of decent outsiders who could trouble the main protagonists are London Broncos Luke Dorn (20/1) and the Rhinos' Danny McGuire (14/1) - both have excellent strike rates and just need to stay fit.

*Outright Odds are to win the Grand Final