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Barrie v Terry: Pair go head-to-head with their Super League playoff predictions

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.

CURRENT STANDINGS:

Barrie - 156

Terry - 157

Castleford v Warrington: 8pm, Thursday, Sky Sports 1

Barrie says: Warrington had a really tough test against Widnes – it was an immense game and it will do them the power of good. It would have given them a glimpse of what they need to improve and also done wonders for their confidence,. The character, the spirit and the endeavour that they showed will stand them in good stead. Going to Castleford is a tough prospect as they are a formidable outfit at home. Cas suffered another poor performance on the big stage where everything was at stake. That was another high-pressure game where they have had to learn the hard way what not to do - they must draw on that knowledge and apply that in this game. I think it promises to be an very close game but I think Warrington will have enough to get through to the next round. If Warrington can get what they want out of this game then it is not beyond them to go all the way through to the Grand Final. Even though Matty Russell is a valued member of the Wolves' attacking force, I think that Stefan Ratchford in the full-back role is making the most of his atributes so it doesn't weaken them at all.

Prediction: Warrington to win a close game by six points.

First Utility Super League

Terry says: Castleford have one more chance to shine. Things didn't go according to plan against Saints; little battles that they've won this year went to the opposition. It was also a tough night for Daryl Clark - he has been one of the stand -outs this year, but he came off second best in his battle with the master James Roby. These are pressure games that need concentration and focus. Earlier in the year some of the top sides might have taken Castleford lightly - not anymore. Warrington can't give teams 40 minutes grace. They started slow but finished strongly, especially Chris Bridge and Joel Monaghan. When they're on, Warrington are a tough side to crack. If Ben Westwood comes back for this game that will give his team-mates a huge lift. It will be tough at Castleford. Will the Tigers recover after they were mauled last week at Saints? Is it possible for Warrington to keep picking up wins as they keep losing players?

Prediction: Castleford by 12.

Huddersfield v Catalans: 8pm, Friday, Sky Sports 1

Barrie says: All those people who think rugby league is only a M62 corridor game and who buy into the flat-cap and whippet mentality should have watched Catalan's win over Leeds last weekend. Catalan were awesome, their coach was under enormous pressure at the start of the year when they lost their first five games and I don’t think even he would have believed you if you told them they would get this far in the competition. Their game-plan last week against Leeds was excellent and they managed to break down the best defence in Super League very well. If they can do their homework this weekend against Huddersfield, then this will be a tremendous game. Huddersfield had some pretty harsh words thrown at them last weekend after that loss to Wigan. They need to find the form that gets them into their groove that we have seen so many times this year, including in the seven-game unbeaten run coming into the last week. Before the play-offs they were the in-form team but that loss to Wigan would have hurt them. Paul Anderson’s team have always controlled the middle channel and that is where Catalan did a number on Leeds so that area will be crucial.

Prediction: Another tight game with less than a score in it. I think the return of Danny Brough swings it towards the Giants and I expect them to win by four points.

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Terry says: Will Catalans be happy with that marvellous victory at Headingley, or is it a case of 'let's have another good week's training and rip in again and have a dig at a wounded Giants side?  The French side had an 86% pass completion rate against the Leeds, making just six mistakes in 80 minutes. With those sorts of stats and a willingness to throw the ball around and offload it in a tackle, it just keeps chewing up energy and repeat efforts from the opposition. Players are a proud bunch and what we witnessed from the Giants wasn't good enough. When the opposition half-back drives the ball 15 meters from his line and busts through two big forwards, that sort of defence isn't going to win you the Grand Final. I do believe the Huddersfield side will be itching to play ASAP and I bet they have had a tough week. Danny Brough is back in the 19 and if he plays it will be a different Huddersfield on Sky Sports on Friday.

Prediction: I think Huddersfield will bounce back from that poor display and win by 18

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