The Super League play-off race is heating up with 11 rounds to go, with Hull FC still locked on to sixth position. The Black and Whites have eight wins from their 16 league games so far, with a draw currently keeping them inside the top six spots. But how does their run-in compare to the sides around them?
Wakefield Trinity are hot on Hull’s heels, and only a fool would write off Warrington Wolves at this stage, especially after their win over John Cartwright’s side last weekend. Catalans Dragons also got back to winning ways last Saturday, but they still need a fortuitous run to make the play-offs. Nonetheless, they are still a rival. And looking above, St Helens, Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos are all well poised.
Looking at Hull’s fixtures, one thing stands out, and that’s that eight of them are at home, including the next two and five of the next six. Hull need to get their home monkey off their back as soon as possible and then hopefully build some momentum with key players set to return in the coming weeks. Their destiny remains in their own hands, with plenty of twists and turns set to come, with all sides playing each other and the teams in and around. It’s set to go right down to the wire – pardon the pun.
And speaking of the Wire, it’s fair to say they have the more favourable run, at least on paper, with their 11 remaining fixtures containing two against Salford Red Devils, two against Catalans, plus Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers, who remain in the bottom three. It’s not naive to rule out a four-pointer either when they head to Hull in the penultimate round.
Elsewhere, Wakefield are genuine play-off contenders and look set for a serious charge. They have games left against the bottom six sides and are currently one point behind Hull, hosting Catalans this week, who have just about kept their season alive with victory over Huddersfield, but they need to keep on picking up wins – and fast.
Meanwhile, St Helens pushed their points total up to 20 with their third victory over Salford this season. They are just one point behind fourth-placed Leigh and two behind Leeds. However, the Saints have the hardest run, with just four games coming against teams currently outside the play-offs. They play Hull twice in what could be two pivotal games – the first of which comes this Saturday.
Interestingly, Leigh also have eight of their last 11 games at home, while Leeds, Catalans and Warrington only have four. At the top of the table, Hull KR are sitting pretty on 30 points, four points clear of Wigan Warriors.
The Super League play-off run-in
9th – Catalans – 12 points – Difference -138
Remaining games: Wakefield away (7th), Warrington home (8th), Hull KR home (1st), Wigan away (2nd), Huddersfield away (11th), Warrington away (8th), Castleford home (10th), Wigan home (2nd), Salford away (12th), Leeds away (3rd), Hull FC away (6th).
8th – Warrington – 14 points – Difference -81
Remaining games: Salford away (12th), Catalans away (9th), Castleford away (10th), Leigh away (4th), Wigan home (2nd), Catalans home (9th), Huddersfield away (10th), Salford home (12th), Leigh home (4th), Hull FC away (6th), Hull KR away (1st).
7th – Wakefield – 16 points – Difference +91
Remaining games: Catalans home (9th), Hull FC away (6th), Huddersfield away (11th), Leeds home (3rd), St Helens home (5th), Salford away (12th), Wigan away (2nd), Huddersfield home (11th), Castleford away (10th), Hull KR home (1st), Salford away (12th).
6th – Hull FC – 17 points – Difference +21
Remaining games: St Helens home (5th), Wakefield home (7th), Wigan away (2nd), Huddersfield home (11th), Salford home (12th), Leigh home (4th), St Helens away (5th), Leeds home (3rd), Hull KR away (1st), Warrington home (8th), Catalans home (9th).
5th – St Helens – 20 points – Difference +272
Remaining games: Hull FC away (6th), Leeds away (3rd), Leigh home (4th), Castleford home (10th), Wakefield away (7th), Huddersfield home (11th), Hull FC home (6th), Hull KR away (1st), Wigan home (2nd), Leigh away (4th), Castleford home (10th).
4th – Leigh – 21 points – Difference +11
Remaining games: Wigan home (2nd), Hull KR home (1st), St Helens away (5th), Warrington home (8th), Leeds home (3rd), Hull FC away (6th), Salford home (12th), Castleford home (10th), Warrington away (8th), St Helens home (5th), Huddersfield home (11th).
3rd – Leeds – 22 points – Difference +141
Remaining games: Hull KR away (1st), St Helens home (5th), Salford home (12th), Wakefield away (7th), Leigh away (4th), Castleford away (10th), Hull KR home (1st), Hull FC away (6th), Huddersfield away (11th), Catalans home (9th), Wigan away (2nd).