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Super 8s predictions with Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor

Rugby League Columnist Expert Barrie v Terry

On the pitch, Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor liked nothing better than tearing into the opposition.

They may have hung up their boots but that competitive streak still runs strong and we have found a way to channel their energies.

Each week, they will give their predictions for the Super League games; they will score one point for a win and if they both pick the winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.

Terry has pipped Barrie to the post with his predictions for the regular season of Super League but the overall crown is still up for grabs as the Super 8s and Qualifiers continue.

Let battle commence!

Results after 23 round of regular Super League season

BARRIE - 112

Also See:

TERRY - 115

Super 8s and Qualifiers

BARRIE - 22

TERRY - 20

Huddersfield v Castleford: 7.30pm, Thursday, Sky Sports 4 HD

Castleford's Scott Wheeldon in action against Huddersfield
Image: Castleford crashed to a 22-0 loss at Huddersfield during the Super League regular season

Barrie says: Huddersfield have been criticised in the past for failing to convert performances into results in the big games. Well in beating St Helens at Langtree Park they learned a lot about themselves and their capabilities. Individually they are all really good and Paul Anderson has moulded them into a good team with an attacking ethos.

The main driving force behind their success is Jermaine McGillvary early on in the tackle count, the under-rated Aaron Murphy and the contribution of Joe Wardle. Add to that the genius of Danny Brough and the hard-hitting forwards and it's a recipe for a well-balanced side. As per the cliche, a team is only as good as its weakest link, and the Giants have worked hard to ensure they have as few of those as possible.

Daryl Powell is a great coach who isn't known for taking a backward step. With the recent issue within the club at Castleford, leadership and a strong head are particularly needed, so it was good to see the club move so swiftly to deal with the problem. Solidarity within the dressing room is vital so I don't doubt it will be handled correctly. Sometimes when something negative happens it helps a team have a common goal, and putting their focus on a win this weekend could be a good remedy for the side.

On the field Castleford have not quite been the force they would have hoped to be. However a win this weekend and a loss from St Helens would put them on equal points with the Giants and Saints. This is potentially a season-defining week for the Tigers.

Prediction: This is a very tight game to call but I'm going with a Huddersfield win by 8 points

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Terry says: When Huddersfield beat Saints the middle men were absolutely outstanding - there were huge efforts from all the forwards. Paul Anderson said after the game that if they believe it they can achieve it and that's what is happening. What Paul Anderson has is a team that works really hard for each other, and when you get to this stage of the competition that counts for a significant amount. When the business end of the tournament arrives some teams bow out, others rise to the challenge, and what Huddersfield have been doing well is playing consistently to build performances and momentum over the whole year. It's left them in a good place to challenge for top four.

Conversely, last week was the worst start to a game I have seen from Castleford. There were some positives that came out of the game from a Tigers perspective but they paid a heavy price for the defeat with injuries. The off-field issues with the club are unpleasant, but may bring the squad closer together for what is fast becoming one of the most difficult trips in Rugby League.

Prediction: Huddersfield are going to be too difficult to beat I think - Giants to win by 16.

Leeds v St Helens: 7.30pm, Friday, Sky Sports 2 HD

Joel Moon is congratulated by Kallum Watkins after scoring Leeds' second try
Image: Leeds are seeking a fourth consecutive victory over St Helens in 2015

Barrie says: Last year when Leeds won the Challenge Cup the players and fans let out a collective sigh of relief as they got the monkey off their backs, which may have led to a bit of complacency from the players. I don't sense there is the same feeling this time. When the players came off the field after beating Hull KR on Saturday of course they were celebrating the win but they quickly turned their thoughts to this game. People talk about the effects of such a big win, and the difficulty in getting yourself up the next week but in my experience the 'hangover' from those big games takes about three weeks to surface.

Saints will feel this is as good a time as any to play Leeds but I'm not sure Leeds will be quite off their game yet. If there is any way to beat Leeds it comes in those last 10 minutes, so Saints will need to focus on starting this game well. Saints have been below par by their own standards in both the Super 8s and the Challenge Cup semi-final loss. They will be buoyed by the return of Jon Wilkin due to his ability and - possibly more importantly - the leadership he offers the team.

After the loss to Hull FC Keiron Cunningham was frank in his criticism of the team, but after the Huddersfield defeat he was far more positive. I still feel they are relying too much on their middle men, though, and not getting the ball out to their attacking threats out wide.

Prediction: I think it will be a high-scoring affair, and I think it will be a 6 point victory to Leeds.

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Terry says: It goes without saying that these are the teams to beat in this competition and that goes more for Leeds than Saints. I can't see many teams that will beat Leeds in the current form they're in. To walk into a final, when the other team is fully up for the game, and score 50 points without conceding is frightening for the other Super 8s contenders. Kallum Watkins and Tom Briscoe have been superb but the general youthful exuberance of the squad has made them a pleasure to watch. This will be the key game though - the one after the Challenge Cup final. It's the game that determines if they're a championship side.

For Saints, Alex Walmsley has been a tower of strength - last week he had 29 hit-ups and made 234 metres. That's the kind of player that's going to help inspire a team. Individually Saints have been good almost everywhere, but as a team they haven't quite clicked and that's led to a few losses on the bounce. It won't be the case for long, but in recent times there appears to have been a lack of purpose from the men with ball in hand. Keiron Cunningham is a good coach who will be able to help solve the problems that have been seeping into the St Helens game.

Prediction: I am predicting an improved performance from Saints, but I still can't see them beating the Rhinos. Leeds to win by 12.

Halifax v Salford: 3pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 5 HD 

Rangi Chase Salford Red Devils
Image: Rangi Chase has been not been considered for selection for Salford pending an internal disciplinary investigation

Barrie says: These two sides haven't met in a league situation since June 2008, so there's not too much history in this. Rangi Chase's suspension will have an effect on Salford, but only time will tell if it's a negative effect or brings out the best from the others in the squad. If Salford lose this they will face a big uphill battle to ensure they avoid the drop at the end of the Qualifiers.

Halifax's year has been a good one so far. They're not the also-rans that people thought they might be. To be in this competition and give it a good shake, Richard Marshall and his team have drawn on the experience they've got collectively in the game. Home-ground advantage will help Halifax who will also be used to playing on the smaller pitch which may hand them a slight advantage. I've been there as a player and it's a tough place to win, and they will be happy to host the 'big dogs' to give them a go.

Prediction: Salford have too many quality players to lose this, even without Rangi Chase. Salford to win by 8.

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Terry says: Salford have been plagued by off-field talking points all year and this week it's all come to a head with the coach gone and star player suspended. It's hard enough work as a player to cope with all the jobs you have to do, never mind having the added pressure from outside training and games. Rangi Chase's suspension goes to show that no player is bigger than the club - you don't get given a jersey, you are a custodian of it, and that means it can be taken away at any point.

Halifax's best performance in the Qualifiers was when they played Widnes first time up. They may be down at the bottom after losing the first three games, but they have defended well in those losses and just been outclassed by a better squad. The spending of Halifax will be dwarfed by what Salford have spent on their squad. This is a big test for Salford this week because they're going as the big boys, and that means Halifax will have a point to prove. Salford will need to prove their Super League status with a convincing win. 

Prediction: Salford will have too much class and power for Halifax to deal with, and take it by 14 points.

Wigan v Catalans

Barrie: Wigan by 14

Terry: Wigan by 14

Warrington v Hull

Barrie: Warrington by 8

Terry: Hull FC by 8

Bradford v Widnes

Barrie: Widnes by 12

Terry: Widnes by 10

Hull KR v Wakefield: 3pm, Sunday, Sky Sports Xtra - find out how to watch

Barrie: Hull KR by 12

Terry: Hull KR by 12

Leigh v Sheffield

Barrie: Leigh by 22

Terry: Leigh by 16

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