I think thats roughly how I see it, couple of changes but that would be close to my prediction. The thing is, as we know, it's irrelevant and this time of the year, and of course there is usually a surprise team in there that upsets everything.

Hard time to judge anything tbh as teams(like Wigan) haven't finished their recruitment yet.

I think it's a fair call to think Leeds and Saints will be top 2 and that Celtic will finish bottom.

Places 3 to 13 are very hard to call. Theres probably going to be 2 mini leagues inside those places.

I would disagree with them. Castlefords youth policy last year will result in them having a good season in 2009. As a Saints fan I would love to see Shenton, Owen and Westerman in pull on the red vee. The fact that Cas have held on to young players of such quality is a sign that they will soon be a strong team in Superleague once again. I would imagine a 8th to 10th position finish in 2009 would be a good prediction for them this season. With further improvement and playoffs the years after.

Salford and Celtic are likely to be far behind the rest as they do not have established SL teams. They will be looking beyond 2009 i would think.

Same as that just type it upside down.

Champione, Champione ole ole ole.

Why will they? They have better resources than just about any other club and a very good coach. I'm not saying they definitely won't finish bottom, but it's surely not a clear cut issue as some are making out.

I think your bottom two are Gary Schofields prediction as well.

Do poor Wakefield not get to play? a Saints second team would probably add to the comp.

It is good to see that Quins are shutting some people up. Usually there are a lot of people predicting they will finish bottom(for no good reason).

1. Leeds
2. Wigan
3. Saints
4. Warrington
5. Catalans
6. Hull Fc
7. Huddersfield
8. Bradford
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9. Hull Kr
10. Harlequins
11. Castleford
12. Wakefield
13. Salford
14. Celtic

Got a feeling one out of wigan,warrington or catalans are going to break into the top 2 this year, have a feeling saints will come 3rd, dont know where they are heading with releasing 5 and signing one, good to see them put their youth policy in though! Could backfire could be fantastic.

I'd be suprised if they don't tbh.

I reckon they'll put up a fight but it's going to be a difficult first year imo. I honestly can't see a side they could possibly finish above. I'd have said maybe Salford but they've recruited a couple of handy players and were better already.

Erm... they're Leeds fans?



A non-Cas fan that knows something about the work Cas are doing and the quality their young players possess? I never thought I'd see the day...

Nobody will seperate Leeds and Saints.
Wigan will be closest.
Is it certainly an 8 team play off system?
If it is then Warrington, Catalans, Hull, Hull KR and Bradford will be the other play off teams.
Cas will finish above Salford and Celtic.
Once again Leeds will set the standards and Saints will have a slow start and everyone will be saying it's a Leeds triple. But Saints again will comeback strong. Probably win the CC. It will again be St Helens v Leeds final with Saints saying this time is the time, we're not cocky. But you know the outcome will always be the same.[/list

Ooooh, touched a nerve?

LEEDS
SAINTS
WIGAN
WIRE
Then a mixture of Bradford, hudds, Quins, Both Hull clubs and Catalans.
WAKEY
CAS
SALFORD
CELTIC

Can someone explain why Wigan are so consistently high up the expectation list? Looking at [url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/Squad.asp?teamid=1&team=First+Teamtheir squad[/url so far I can't see much more than 'low playoff place' myself.

As an aside, there's a genuinely nice touch in the link above... putting the fans at No.18. But how can they be 'fully fit' when they only ever last 60 minutes?

Leeds
Saints
Wigan
Catalans
Wire
Bradford
Hull
Hull KR
Huddersfield
Quins
Wakefield
Cas
Salford
Celtic

Only because of extra time.

Out of the five game we played last year it was 2 wins apiece and a draw.

Gives a different meaning to 'they went walkabout in the last quarter'.

One thing is for sure you won't see us doing the walk at Murrayfield Magic as it is a bloody long walk home.

It's only a stroll down the road for the rest of you in comparison.

I would hate to walk to Perpignan

I like Saints

Just a good stretch of the legs, you spouthern softie

1. Leeds
2. St Helens
3. Catalans
4. Warrington
5. Wigan
6. Hull FC
7. Bradford
8. Hull KR
9. Castleford
10. Harlequins
11. Huddersfield
12. Salford
13. Wakefield
14. Celtic (Hope not though!!)

Idea nicked from Reading FC, fans have been number 13 for years and even have a large shirt which is passed around the ground before kick off.

i think its boring same old teams in top 4 again hopefully we can prove our pundits wrong and finish in the top 4 we have a good team and hopefully if they stay fit we shud be up there dnt think hull fc will finish much higher than last year they lost a few good players and signed one good one shud make a intresting season all round though

why 13?!?!! that doesnt make any sense for a soccer club?!

A pure guess, but it could date back to the time when football clubs could only have one substitute (and that would be a number 12, with 1-11 for the starting line-up). There could also be an element of reluctance of superstitious players for wearing number 13, leaving it available for the fans.

Saints
Leeds
Warrington
Wigan
Hull FC
Huddersfield
Bradford
Hull KR
Castleford
Wakefield
Catalan
Harlequins
Salford
Celtic