Super League 'Frantic Finale' predictions: Who will win League Leaders' Shield and take sixth spot?
Sky Sports Rugby League have taken a look at who will claim top spot and who will clinch the final play-off place ahead of Friday's 'Frantic Finale'; you can watch all the thrilling climax to the Super League play-off race on Sky Sports on September 22
Friday 22 September 2023 16:50, UK
Ahead of a "frantic finale" to the regular Super League season on Friday, the Sky Sports Rugby League team give their predictions on how the top six will look for the play-offs and who will win the League Leaders' Shield...
Jamie Jones-Buchanan's projected top six
1: Wigan- 40
2: St Helens- 40
3: Catalans- 38
4: Hull KR- 32
5: Leigh- 32
6: Salford- 28
- Super League standings | Upcoming Super League fixtures
- Stream the Betfred Super League, NRL and more with NOW
Why Wigan win the League Leaders' Shield: Wigan are one of only three teams in the league that have had a notable performance increase going into the playoffs.
Play-off football requires another level and Matty Peet's men look like like werewolves under a full moon in recent weeks.
With a Challenge Cup on his list of coaching accolades, I think Peet deserves the League Leaders' box ticking too, but while I think that have out run St Helens late surge, I'm not sure their lead will be enough to win them a Grand Final.
Why Salford take sixth place: Catalans would "like" to win this game, Salford "have" to win this game.
Paul Rowley has produced a dangerously efficient attacking team that understands its strengths.
I suspect in this "last-chance saloon" of a game he brings the best of what we have seen this years to this game in the hope of defeating what is a very regimented Catalans Dragons.
Barrie McDermott's projected top six
1: Catalans- 40
2: St Helens- 40
3: Wigan- 38
4: Leigh- 34
5:Hull KR- 32
6: Warrington- 28
Why Catalans win the League Leaders' Shield: I think Catalans will beat Salford and Leigh, who have been the disruptors all year, will go into their game feeling they are more than capable of spoiling the League Leaders' Shield party for Wigan.
However, l believe the Warriors will still get to the Grand Final regardless of what happens on Friday.
Why Warrington keep sixth place: Warrington will benefit from Salford just running out of troops and steam.
I am not 100 per cent sure that the Wolves beat Huddersfield but they will get the last play-off place because of a Salford loss.
Phil Clarke's projected top six
1: Wigan- 40
2: St Helens- 40
3: Catalans- 38
4: Hull KR- 32
5: Leigh- 32
6: Salford- 28
Why Wigan win the League Leaders' Shield: I think that Wigan will beat Leigh for the third time this year and win the Shield.
There is less than 10 miles between these two teams (I am using home stadia as the centre point) and there is less than 10 points on the league table as we reach the last match which is a big surprise for everyone.
Nobody could have ever dreamt that Leigh would play at home in their last game, with a sell-out crowd and a place in the play-offs but I am starting to worry that they look a little tired.
The Warriors have the two most evasive players in the competition, who move at speed and have helped Wigan back to the top. Bevan French and Jai Field are the two strike weapons that will give them another piece of silverware for the cabinet.
Why Salford take sixth place: My play-off wild card team are Salford and I think that they will just win over Catalans. They beat them 16-14 at home in April and will do again on Friday.
How can you watch?
Live Betfred Super League
The race for the Betfred Super League play-offs has never reached such a thrilling climax - and that means an unprecedented Friday night of Rugby League action on Sky Sports with all six Round 27 fixtures being played on September 22.
Leigh Leopards vs Wigan Warriors will lead the coverage and all matches will kick-off at 8pm BST.
In addition to full match coverage of one game, there will also have cameras and reporters at all fixtures that stand a chance of affecting the shape of the play-offs, meaning viewers won't miss a thing on Friday night.
Meanwhile RL Commercial are making arrangements to ensure the League Leaders' Shield can be presented to the winners on Friday night - at Leigh, Salford or St Helens.
Terry O'Connors projected top six
1: Wigan- 40
2: Catalans-40
3: St Helens-40
4: Hull KR- 32
5: Leigh- 32
6: Warrington 28
Why Wigan win the League Leaders' Shield: Wigan, Catalans and St Helens have got to this point and will go all out hoping that one of the challengers will have a slip up. All three have tricky games but I'm tipping all three to win.
Wigan have the superior points difference which will see them lift the League Leaders' Shield with Catalans and St Helens not trading places again due to the points difference.
Why Warrington take sixth place: Sneaking in at sixth could be Warrington as I have Salford down to lose.
Without the suspended Paul Vaughan I'm sure it will be tough but they should have enough to get the result if they have anything about them before Sam Burgess comes in.
Even if Warrington lose they will scrape in again because of a better points difference to Salford.
Watch the conclusion of the 2023 Betfred Super League season, including the play-offs and Grand Final, live on Sky Sports. Also stream on NOW.
