Cas, Hudds, Salford at home.
Hull, Leeds, Saints, Wakefield away.

Edit, dates to be announced Weds.

With 4 points separating 3rd & 7th, every game matters from here. We need to get some momentum, starting with a semi-final win.

I think 2nd is a bridge too far, but 3rd and a semi-final at Headingly is well within our reach.

It's good news for this format that the league has become so close. There is a chance for any team in the top 8 (possibly aside from Huddersfield) to make the top 4 so there should be some cracking games.

Whisper it quietly but Saints are putting a fine run together! They'll have Ben Barba for the back end as well and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them win at Old Trafford.

I'm not sure which I prefer out of Cas away and Leeds away in a semi. I know Cas have been the better team and the jungle is a very tough place to go, but Leeds still have a lot of players who have experience winning loads of semis and finals, and we have lost nearly every time at Headingley under Wane. Having said all that, we have a big hill to climb regardless, I'm glad Salford and Wakey have let us back in the hunt

A lot of disappointed Wakey fans today, we can make excuses all day long but the truth is that they were far too quick for us and the better side all round, and you might not be far off there.

We still have a chance but I worry we may have blown it with the Warrington result.

Cas have a 100% home record and have blown most teams away. Leeds have marginally been less cr@p than the rest of the top 8.

We are within sight of the top 4 but we haven't beat a decent team for ages and looking at those fixtures I really can't see us winning 6 of them.
Hopefully the fixtures are kind to us and we play the out of form teams early (wakey/Salford/hull)

The result which I'll always look back at if we miss out is the Saints game in May. We were the better side and should've won. We lost on a few scrappy kick try's and not only did it cost us two points that night but it knocked the stuffing out of us for the coming weeks as well imo.

I think that game and the following period will have ultimately cost us a place in the top four.

But we don't need to win 6 of 7, we're only 3 points off 4th and 4 points off 3rd, and we can safely count on Hull and Salford dropping points. We could afford, for example, to lose to Cas and Leeds, and still get top 4.

With the points difference Hull would have to lose 5 out of 7 games for us to finish above them if we win 5,4 out of 7 if we turn around the points difference,possible but unlikely.
Salford and wakey would have to lose 4 out of 7 as they have a fairly decent points difference lead,possible as I think these 2 will fall away.
If we win 5, saints would have to only win 3 with there superior points difference,unlikely on current form.
I would be suprised if 5 wins is good enough but you never know,Everyone is playing each other and hudds are in good form so could take points of those above us.

I agree that Cas would be no walk in the park at their place, but I genuinely believe play offs are a different beast to league games. There is a trend for teams who finish unusually high to fall at the final hurdle (see Hull last year, Cas in 2014 and Huddersfield in 2013). Conversely, Leeds have won 6 Grand Finals in the last 10 seasons, two of them from 5th place. Plus they have the extra motivation of it being Maguire and Burrow's last seasons.

Think that's right, but I also think this is a very different Leeds without Sinfield & Peacock (accept that we've had our fingers burned having said that before!)

I don't rate McDermott especially highly, and I'm not sure the culture of 'turning it on when the chips are down' is necessarily still there. Might get a bit clearer as we approach the date, but for me it's a toss of a coin which is the more difficult game.

When are the fixtures announced?im hoping for Wakey away then Salford at home first up.

Wednesday

Agreed, a big factor might be which teams play Cas late in the 8s when they are already guaranteed the hubcap. Hopefully Saints play them in a fortnight and we play them in the last round

Agreed. To be honest I think this is the last year to fear them in play offs as they still have Maguire, Burrow, JJB and Ablett who all won 6 or 7 Grand Finals each (along with the associated play off campaigns, which previously involved more games, obviously).

I suppose only the players can tell you how important big game experience is for play off games, but I think there is a reason we have two of the same four grand finalists almost every year. For that reason, regardless of form, I wouldn't want Leeds standing between us and Old Trafford if we can help it.

Wigan wouldn't beat either on current form.

We need to improve, and fast.

If we can get the teams out of form early doors (wakey,Salford,hull) and then end up playing Leeds and cas the last 2 games that would be ideal. On current form Saints first up would be the worst possible fixture imo.

Saints up first would be a 'mare, could potentially take all our momentum...

The last two seasons of Super 8s have seen 5th v 7th as one of the first round of fixtures. It has also featured 7th v 4th in the 6th round of fixtures.

IF the RFL had any idea how to market the sport, Barba's first game back will be Wigan. So expect that not to happen.

Ideally Hudds will win their first game and keep themselves alive. (As long as it's not against us)