Wednesday 9 April 2014 20:05, UK
Barrie and Terry are back to tear into each other once more as they go head-to-head with their Super League predictions.
Last season Terry pipped Barrie to the post and proved to be the most successful tipster - but Barrie is determined to make amends in 2014!
Each week they will give their predictions for the Super League games - the boys will score one point for a win, while if they both pick a winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.
BARRY - 45
TERRY - 51
Hull FC v Huddersfield: 7.30pm, Thu, Sky Sports 1
Barrie says: Barrie says: Both sides are coming off back of heartbreaking one point Challenge Cup defeats. Hull FC were beaten on the hooter by a Rangi Chase drop goal and the Giants missed out on the next round after a controversial decision. Did Danny Brough’s drop-goal go over or not? Well they ref said it didn’t and it is one of those subjective matters depending on which team you support. This is going to be a big game for both of them and its hard to separate the 2 teams but you just feel that Hull FC will be stronger at home. Brett Ferres will be a big loss for the Giants having been suspended for 5 matches but Shaun Lunts back in the side softens the blow
Prediction: I think Lee Radford’s Black and whites will get a very narrow win by four points.
Terry says: Huddersfield were unlucky to lose that Challenge Cup game but Paul Anderson will also say that his side really need to improve and they will want to come out and put that right. They have lost one of their standout players in Brett Ferres. He is not a dirty player but I think he is very lucky to get away with just five weeks for that tackle on Jonny Lomax. Hull FC have not been playing well and still seem to be uncertain as to who is playing in the halfbacks and who is playing at fullback. Jamie Shaul coming back will give them someone who can attack from the back with a bit of speed.
Prediction: The Giants will come out with all guns blazing but I have a sneaky feeling that Hull FC will win a close encounter by six points.
Castleford v St Helens: 7.30pm, Fri, Sky Sports 1
Barrie says: Both teams are in sensational form – who would have thought at the start for the season that Cas would have been second on the Super League table. The atmosphere will be euphoric as the Cas supporters have come out in droves to cheer on the Tigers and they play really good rugby league. A couple of good battles will be Liam Finn up against Luke Walsh – both are having big says in their respective sides. Mose Masoe, Sio Soliola, LaFranchi are the workmen in the forwards for Saints along with Mark Flanagan and the return of Jon Wilkin will be a great asset. Cas have a pack of forwards that are honest and hard working as well it will be won and lost here. My favourite player in Super league at the moment Tommy Makinson who will look to pick up where he left off. He plays on Saints right side and will be up against Justin Carney – what a tremendous battle that will be, brawn against guile beauty against the beast!
Prediction: I am going for an upset. Castleford to beat Saints by eight points.
Terry says: There is not much in this – you have the best two attacking teams in the competition here, they are both absolutely quality. With Castleford playing at home, the atmosphere is going to be electric. Some of the younger players in St Helens may be used to playing in front of big crowds, but this is going to be hostile! That is no disrespect to the Cas fans, they are just so vocal and cannot see anything else but the Tigers shirt. How will St Helens recover from playing a very physical Huddersfield over the weekend?
Prediction: I am going for a shock result and backing the home side. The Cas fans to play their part and Tigers to win by eight points.
Bradford v Salford
Barrie says: The last few weeks Bradford have secured that financial stability with Marc Green coming in and pledging his allegiance to the club and they will be further boosted by the return of Sidlow and Diskin who are among the returnee for the Bulls. Salford have seen Iestyn Harris coming in and taking over the reins from Brian Noble, it will take time to transfer the club to the way he wants it to be run but it will start this week against his former club and against his former Leeds team mate. The Red Devils got a morale boosting victory over at the KC stadium while Bradford beat Oldham by 60 points to 6. That would have helped the Bulls in this week’s preparations. They are still fragile but they have enough to have a real go in this game.
Prediction: I don’t the Bulls will have enough and I think Salford will be inspired by their new coach and will win by 18 points.
Terry says: It seems that we are forever talking about these two sides and mentioning everything else except the rugby! This game is going to be very interesting fixture - how will Salford perform under Iestyn Harris and how will Bradford react with a new owner in Marc Green? I think the class that Salford have will be too much for Bradford though.
Prediction: I expect Salford to win by 14 points and hopefully next week we can focus purely on the rugby!
Leeds v Wakefield
Barrie says: This is the reverse fixture of the Challenge Cup fixture where The Wildcats were humbled by Leeds and came second in most areas. The Rhinos did it at a canter with a full strength team and you would assume that with Easter just around the corner, Brian McDermott may just choose to rotate some of the senior players. No matter what side Leeds put out though I can’t see the result changing!
Prediction: The scoreline will be different but is still think it will be a 22 point win in favour of Leeds.
Terry says: Everyone is trying to work out if this is Jamie Peacocks 500th or 499 game – are they going to count a tour game he played over in Australia? It is an exceptional achievement and he has been absolutely exceptional for our sport. He actually made his Super League debut back in 1999 against Wakefield. He is still going strong. Wakefield were walloped by Leeds last week and I cannot see that changing this week!
Prediction: Wakefield were hammered at home 60-6. This week they are going to Leeds…they will come out fighting but I don’t think the Wakefield players will have mentally recovered from that mauling. Leeds by 28 points.
Warrington v Hull KR
Barrie says: This is another reverse game. I know Hull KR gave Warrington some real problems in the Challenge Cup, Tony Smith eluded to that fact in his pitch match analysis. He said it was a really tough game that could’ve gone the other way and I expect this to be another test for the Wolves. They are still in sixth place; not quite hitting their straps yet and I think there will be a huge emphasis placed on their defence. Hull KR only have two wins this season but they are getting better and better. The Robins are good enough to trouble any team and with consistent efforts week in week out can climb up the ladder. After Thursday's top two clash this is my game of the round!
Prediction: I am going for a home win in what should be a cracker of a game – Wolves by 8 points.
Terry says: Hull KR are beginning to put some performances together and actually play some decent rugby, however, they still lost to Warrington in the Challenge Cup. Warrington get a lot of criticism but they have only lost three games and are on a par to where they were last year.
Prediction: I would like Hull KR to go there and give Warrington a scare but that Challenge Cup loss is still too raw and the Wolves to win by 10 points.
Wigan v London
Barrie says: Wigan had a tough battle in the Cup against Dewsbury. Joe Burgess again put in a terrific performance in what is a fabulous start to his Super League career. It’s good timing after opposite winger Josh Charnley has picked up a knee injury that will see him side lined for several months. I don’t think the Broncos have it to defend everything Wigan will throw at them, plus scoring tries is an area that London have come up short so far this year. I am not sure how they are going to look after either against what will be such a rampant Wigan side.
Prediction: I expect Wigan to win by 36 points – I really don’t like saying that but that is the reality of the Broncos situation.
Terry says: Every week we try and say something positive about London. They went to the south of France and scored 24 points – unfortunately they conceded 40! So they are scoring points and all they have to do is tighten up their defence. In Super League you have to make sure you defend every set of six – London don’t do that and they have to sort that out. Wigan is a tough place to go at the best of times.
Prediction: A tough day at the office for London and I expect hem to be beaten by 30 points.
Catalans v Widnes: 2.30pm, Sat, Sky Sports 3
Barry says: Catalan got a good victory in the Cup against London and will be looking to do the same against Widnes on Saturday. I saw them a couple of weeks ago against Huddersfield and I thought it was the first time that they looked like the Dragons side we expected to see from the start of the season. Morgan Escare is a constant threat and they have some good striker weapons on the flank to cause anyone problems. However Widnes are having an awesome year. You have to take your hat off to Denis Betts for what he has developed there. There attacking prowess is getting just better and better. With local lads right at the fore, Kevin Brown showing his true value the town is starting to believe that it smells like a play off year!
Prediction: Widnes will go over with a lot of confidence and this has all the ingredients of a top quality game, however, I know Tez will go for Widnes because that is the way he swings. So only to go against him. I will opt for Catalans by eight points.
Terry says: I am really looking forward to this game. Widnes are in such great form and they will travel with a spring in their step. Denis Betts would have done his homework and he has really instilled this belief into his players. They don’t think they can get beat – it’s one thing saying it; but it’s another when you have actually believe that and Widnes really do believe!
Prediction: I am expecting Widnes to go to the south of France and win by 12 points.
Barrie and Terry and running the London Marathon for the Steve Prescott foundation, to sponsor them click here
