Super League: Barrie and Terry are back with their predictions

The boys are back and ready to tear into each other once more as they go head-to-head with their Super League predictions.

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.

Last year, McDermott pipped O'Connor to the title, and although Terry demanded a recount, he finally conceded that Barrie was the rightful winner.

Let battle commence!

Current standings

BARRIE - 36

TERRY - 43

Hull FC v Widnes Vikings: 7:30pm, Fri, Sky Sports 2HD

Barrie says: Two sides who’ve had a 50-50 split over the Easter period. You look at Hull and the demoralising defeat to Hull KR, they backed that up with a sensational victory over St Helens. Widnes beat their local rivals Warrington in a hard-fought game, then, I think strategically shuffled the pack around, shuffled the team around at Catalans and did okay under the circumstances.

Both of these teams go into this game fancying their chances. I think this is a very close game, much closer than people are calling it. Hull haven’t been that far away but have been on a dreadful run and are second from bottom and Widnes with a couple of victories, as we are seeing in 2015, have moved up the table and are now sitting pretty healthy.

So, on form and league position I’m going to go for Widnes but I think it is desperately close. I think both teams have the potential to take this game and take this victory. I think Widnes are in a good space, they have the better form behind them and will be the more rested of the two with Easter period being so tough for the players and coaches alike.

Prediction: Widnes to win by 6.

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Terry says: After a good win against Warrington, Widnes travelled to the south of France in a confident mood. Denis couldn't call on five players because of injury and he made the tough decision to rest six players for a physical game. It was a big call but a call made by a man that has worked hard over the last four years to be in that position.

Even in defeat the Vikings showed some tremendous character fighting back and making a game of it for the final 60 minutes. The start cost them but I put that down to nerves and a fully focused Catalans side. The club's Head of Youth Phil Finney has done fabulous work over the last six years, seven youngsters who featured came through the system and showed the fans what they're about. 

Now Denis has reinstated his big guns into the 19 he will travel to Hull in a confident mood, but he knows that it will be tough after Hull picked up a much needed win. With Brown, Mellor, and Hanbury all in the 19 it opens up the sides attacking options. 

Hull have won just one of their four home games this season and were beaten by city rivals Hull KR in their last game at the KC. They did however beat grand final winners St Helens at Langtree after losing against KR. The good news for Lee Radford is that he can call on a former New Zealand international who has recovered from the fractured vertebrae he suffered against Salford in February. When you look at the Hull squad it looks strong but for them to progress they will need to back themselves. This game is huge 10th v 11th and if Hull win they can jump Widnes on the league ladder, if they fail to win they will be 3 league points behind.

Will the win on Easter Monday be enough to lift spirits at the KC? With Pryce in the side anything can happen and if he's on his game they will fancy the 2 points and I'm convinced they will want to reward the fans and everyone involved at the club with a much needed win. Leon needs one appearance to overtake former Bradford and St Helens team-mate Lee Gilmour and move into fifth place in the list of all-time leaders for Super League games played, good effort from the talented ex-international. 

I am going with Widnes because of the personnel returning but also because of the rest they've had. The 1/3rd game is the one that gets you, the energy battle may just go with the Vikings.

Prediction: Widnes by 10.

Castleford Tigers v Hull KR: 5pm, Sat, Sky Sports 2HD

Barrie says: Cas and Hull KR are too sides in very confident form. Castleford, for me, were the most impressive team of the round with that stunning victory over Warrington. Castleford in Grant Millington have got a leader of men and his forward pack set the right platform for the likes of Finn, Dorn – who won’t make this game through injury, Shenton is in great form. He was classed as one of the best centres in the game with his inclusion in the Dream Team. It has taken a while but he is getting back to that form and left edge that Castleford have got with Shenton and Carney is pretty formidable.

Cas are a side in good form but you can’t ignore how much progress Hull KR have made in the past month. They have a well balanced team, they’re a little bit light in the forwards but that doesn’t seem to hinder what they achieve in their games and the results have been mightily impressive. They’ve got the best combination in the half-backs in the league, Campese and Kelly. They are two fantastic players who combine really well. Kieran Dixon at full-back has come in and made a massive different too.

The third game of this marathon, which the Easter period is, is often the one that is very hard to prediction because you're dealing with fatigued players and you're not sure what teams are going to put out. If teams do put their full strength out, what condition are those players going to be in? And if they don't put their full strength sides out, just how much of an impact will some of the less established players have on the fluency of the particular teams.

I know there have been a mixture of strategies used to try and get players to recover, different recovery techniques and so I guess the results of the games and the performances of the teams will determine just which work and which ones don't. Ultimately though it is about turning up with the right attitude and being prepared to do a little bit more than your opposition.

So again this is tighter than a submarine door, this one. I think home advantage could play a part but I can’t see Hull KR losing this game because of the momentum that they’ve got. It’s going to be another close game with just more than a score in it.

Prediction: I’m to go for Hull KR to win by 8 points.

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Terry says: One team that had a happy Easter was the red and white team from Hull. Good sides in sport can back up one good performance with another one. Players and coaches want to improve every time they train or take the field and I believe that they've played well most of the year, definitely in attack, but the last two weeks they've showed that they can defend and like all good sides they've stood shoulder to shoulder and got stuck in.

If Chris Chester wants to get his third win in a row he will want his side to defend with the same passion and intensity like they have shown over the last two games. Kris Welham and Tyrone McCarth are back in the 19 and will play, those two additions will make them a lot stronger. 

What a performance from Adam Millner against Warrington. I thought the heavy pitch on Friday v Leeds would have an effect on Cas at the latter stages of the game, contrary to that theory they got stronger. Another top performer was Grant Millington he looked good from the start with his damaging runs.

The team continuously created opportunities for each other and worked hard throughout the game. Only Leeds, Huddersfield and St's have a better defensive record in the table than Castleford which may surprise some. The success story of last season and they are certainly looking to emulate 2014. 

Both of these sides have coaches that liked to throw caution to the wind when they played and they've continued with that philosophy as coaches. If you have the ball for long periods and turn the ball over on your terms your halfway to a win. As this is the third game in 9 days the talk and focus will be on completion rates, make sure it's not your side that has the brain explosion on tackle 1. 

The third best attacking side (Hull KR) v the fourth best defensive side. Any neutral supporter will enjoy this game. 

Prediction: I'm going for two away wins, Hull KR by 8.

Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Wildcats

Barrie: Warrington by 14

Terry: Warrington by 24

Wigan Warriors v Catalan Dragons

Barrie: Wigan by 12

Terry: Wigan by 8

Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinos

Barrie: Leeds by 8

Terry: Leeds by 10

Huddersfield Giants v St Helens

Barrie: Huddersfield by 8

Terry: Huddersfield by 12