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Hull (+12) v Wigan

I thought Hull might be a good chance because I thought last week took a lot out of Wigan - but unfortunately they've got some of their key players out. Not only Craig Fitzgibbon, Mark O'Meley and Sean Long but now Danny Tickle is out and Mark Calderwood too so they have quite a few injuries. The return of Andy Coley will be very helpful for Wigan - he's a fresh body onto the scene. I think people should keep in mind last week's game against Warrington will have taken a lot out of them - an awful lot. The only reason I'm not going for Hull is that they've got so many players out otherwise I thought they'd be a good proposition. I'm going to go for Wigan to win and cover the start but as I've said I'm very wary after last week's game.
 

Hull KR v Bradford (+12)

Hull KR are another team coming off a physical game last week. They had a loss and they'll hit back. Bradford have been awful this season. Last week after only five minutes they were down 12-0 and there's no respite, no players returning. I think Hull KR will win this but I've just got a feeling Bradford might have a bit more of a go in this one and cover the start. I'm not confident - not at all - but I think there might be some degree of pride in their organisation. I think Hull KR may be a bit flat after last week's derby and I give Bradford a chance to cover on the handicap.

Catalans (+12) v Warrington

This is another game that is going to be influenced by last week, with Warrington having played Wigan. The intensity of the game and the physicality of the defence could be telling. A couple of Warrington forwards might be out which will see some new players - fresh players - come in, though the others have been playing well. Last week was a bit of a blip for Catalans with Casey McGuire and Clint Greenshields back. I expect them to get back on the horse here and cover the start, which is a great one. They come into the game off a loss so can refocus. I think the hard game for Warrington last week and the travel - plus the home team gearing up for the Challenge Cup semi, which this is of course a prelude for - make Catalans one of the bets of the weekend.
 

Crusaders v Castleford (scr)

Castleford are in a pretty warm vein of form. They've won four of their last five and have been winning pretty convincingly, scoring lots of points. They even scored 30 points in defeat at Warrington. Crusaders are getting back to where they should be with Jarrod Sammut and a few others back. This is a real crunch game for them - if they win they've a chance of the top eight. You've got to favour Cas because of their form but this is one Crusaders will have really earmarked. They come off a win and history has shown they can win back-to-back games. They're at home and I think this is one they'll think they must win to be in the eight. We'll stick with Crusaders because they're at home and because of the importance of the game.

Huddersfield v Harlequins (+14)

Even last week Quins played really well - there wasn't a lot in the game - and in a couple of their losses recently, their performances have been good. Huddersfield are in a position to really start making inroads - they have players back from injuries and are starting to get more cohesion. They're not as reliant on Brett Hodgson as they were earlier in the year and because of that they can move forward. Quins come into the game with great attitude but Huddersfield have the better players. I'm going for Huddersfield because they're at home and they've got a bit more strike power and I'll take them to cover the handicap too.
 

Salford (+14) v Leeds

Salford's performances at home have been quite good - they turned over St Helens and Hull for a couple of good wins. But Leeds will win this game - that's not an issue. The team Salford played last week (Bradford) were very poor while Leeds came up with a lucky win against Huddersfield. If they play the form - and you'd like to see Leeds play more consistently - they could rattle the points up. I take Leeds to win and cover because they're the better team and the game they played last week was of greater intensity than Salford's.
 

Wakefield (+12) v St Helens

Saints have still got a few players out including Keiron Cunningham and Chris Flannery and every time Wakefield come off a big loss they seem to react the following week. I know from experience this is always an ordinary place to go for Saints - it's not the easiest place. I fancy Wakefield to cover the handicap. They're a real Jekyll and Hyde team and can respond here with a return to not a win but certainly a better performance. Because they're at home you have to fancy them to cover the start working on the fact with Saints have a few out, are away and Wakefield are trying to get back on the horse.
 

Rabbitohs v Warriors (+4)

Rabbitohs' form over the last couple of weeks shows two losses, but it was two close ones. One was to Roosters and the other to St George Illawarra with a try on the bell for the latter their undoing. They have had some players out - and still have them out - but their form has been good and they can do some business against Warriors. Yes, Warriors have won five in a row and defensively they are doing well but they've not been scoring many points in their last few games. I'm real keen on Souths - they're at home and they're desperate to win to stay in the top eight. I think they'll win and cover to keep their semi-final hopes alive.