Sadly, it seems that the big 4 has shrunk to be the big two for the time being. The wise money will be that the Challenge Cup will once again be won by the winners of the Saints Vs Leeds tie, in whatever round that takes place, while those two will contest the grand final again.

We will continue to have shock results where the likes of Cas beats Leeds or Saints. This will lead to talk of the most competitive Super League ever, but as you were eluding to in your earlier post, the top of the league will have a very familiar look to it at the end of the season.

I think the top 6 will be pretty much the same as this year. Of all the teams in the chasing pack, the two Hulls will be there or there about.
HKR may well be the suprise package if they can get a bit of consistancy together.
I think Quins will suprise a few and may well sneak into the top 8. I worry for Celtic, but I hope they build a well oiled opperation off the pitch.
Agree with other posters here
Leeds v Saints Grand final and the winner of the leeds v saints cup tie will win the challenge cup.

1. Leeds Rhinos
2. St Helens
3. Warrington Wolves
4. Wigan Warriors
5. Bradford Bulls
6. Huddersfield Giants
7. Catalans Dragons
8. Hull KR
9. Hull FC
10. Harlequins RL
11. Castleford Tigers
12. Wakefield Wildcats
13. Celtic Crusaders
14. Salford City Reds

And without that cheating, Wigan would have been in NL1 in 2007. That they did cheat in 2006, ensuring their survival, meant that they had a better team than they otherwise would have done in 2007, enabling them to finish the weekly rounds in 6th place.

And, just one more point that you seem to have missed, Wigan [idid[/i finish in the top four in 2007. Third, in fact. Bradford were the 'big 4' team that missed out on finishing in the top four.



And if anyone had done that, I'd agree with you. No-one has though.

Salford bottem

Why is that funny? I would say its a distinct possibility.

Edited


To make it accurate.

Your spelling

Why not?

Cas playing twice then? Hopefully the other team will have a different away shirt

Huddersfield were kicked out because SL needed a team to field 2 teams so Salford and Celtic could be competitive. Obv couldn't be Leeds as they beat Cas with their 2nd team so if Cas were split than there'd be 4 teams at the bottom being competitive

1. Leeds
2. Saints
3. Warrington/Hull
4. Hull/Warrington
5. Wigan
6. Huddersfield
7. Bradford
8. Catalans
9. Rovers
10. Wakefield
11. Quins
12. Castleford
13. Salford
14. Celtic

You can't put Hull that high, how can they reach 4th when they were 11th last season!






Or at least thats what some idiotic Rovers fan thinks.......

It's just not possible.

1. Leeds- Much improved with Buderus signing on and will win the league leaders shield with ease.
2. St Helens- A slow start under Potter will hinder their chances of another league leaders shield.
3. Warrington- A few good additons to the squad should see them lead the chasing pack.
4. Wigan- Barrett is a big loss but will still make the play offs.
5. Hull- Will be keen to impress after a disappointing 2008.
6. Bradford- Recruitment hasn't been great but will have enough quality to make the 6.
7- Huddersfield- Have recruited well but will just miss out.
8- Catalans- Will find it hard to carry on last years form minus Potter.
9. Hull KR- A similar up and down season as last year.
10. Wakefield- Will be looking for a good season after so many off the field problems in 2008 but will not have the quality to trouble the 6.
11. Harlequins- Will pick up vital wins at home but will struggle on the road once again.
12. Castleford- Showed glimpses last year they can play but will struggle in large.
13. Salford- A long hard season predicted for last years NL1 winners.
14. Celtic- Will find it tough in SL and I expect they will be on the end of some big scores.

I think Hul deserve to be left out of the slanging matches until the end of next season, depending on if they an prove themselves. I feel around 8th if they struggle with injuries again, if you don't they could finish anywhere between 3rd and 6th.

It's an 8 team play off

My prediction now:

Leeds - Will just beat Saints to top spot this time.
Saints - Lost Sculthorpe, Talau and Fozzard, gained Puletua, a weaker squad this year IMO.
Wigan - Barrett a big loss, but IMO will still lead the chasing pack
Warrington - Higham and Carvell are good signings, will be close to Wigan
Huddersfield - Hodgson and Carney are great signings, I think they'll be up there.
Bradford - Good pack, poor backs, although they will make the play offs.
Hull - Think they'll improve from last year. Crocker, Thorman and Calderwood are decent signings.
Catalans - Bell and Ryles will take a while to settle in, the same with the coach and on paper it looks a better squad than 08 but I think the slow start will mean they'll just make the play offs.
Hull KR - Will just miss out again I feel.
Harlequins - Maybe a lot higher, but they've lost some good players (Hill, Henry, Sheriffe)
Castleford - Looks a better squad than last year.
Salford - Smith and Swain are good signings I'd expect them to compete.
Wakefield - Poor squad. Brough and Drew are the only ones with the wow factor.
Celtic - Long hard season for the Crusaders, but hopefully at the end of the 3 years they'll be where Catalans are now.

I reckon Hull could challenge the top 2 ( Leeds and Saints ) because they have gained Thorman and Crocker. Also they still have players like Manu and Yeaman with quality.

Leeds
Saints
Pies
Catalans
Hull
Hull KR
Shudds
Northern
Wire
Cas
Salford
Wakey
Quins
Celtic

I think your mad!

Surely this is a wind up?

Maybe I am mad but I reckon Hull will do well this year and finish in the top 5.

You just said challenge the top 2 and named Thorman as a possible key to their success.

Well the other teams in the top 5 are the only ones to challenge the top two.

1.Leeds
2.St Helens
3.Catalan
4.Hull
5.Wigan
6.Warrington
7.Hudds
8.Bradford
9.Castleford
10.Hull Kr
11.Celtic
12.Harlequins
13.Salford
14.Wakefield

1. St Helens
2. Leeds
3. Warrington
4. Catalans
5. Hull FC
6. Wigan
7. Bradford
8. Huddersfield
9. Hull KR
10. Castleford
11. Wakefield
12. Harlequins
13. Salford
14. Celtic