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 - 20

TERRY - 25

St Helens v Warrington: 7.30pm, Thurs, Sky Sports 3HD

Terry says: After 24 straight defeats Warrington have won on their last five visits to Saints. The tables look like they've turned in favour of the Wolves. Keiron Cunningham is a coach who made his living at the Saints and was a player who was the best in the world in his position. He knows what it's like and what it takes to beat Warrington. 

The Saints are playing a physical game, particularly this season. In fact, I can't remember them ever playing like that, even going back to my days in the St Helens v Wigan derby games. I think they could have one of SL's best signings in Atelea Vea, along with two of the games shooting stars in Luke Thompson and Joe Greenwood. 

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Another year in Super League and Alex Walmsley looks like an international prop forward, or soon-to-be if his form continues. Keiron is leaving him out on the pitch for long spells and it is paying dividends. Walmsley’s clash with Chris Hill will be huge and whoever comes out on top in that battle will help his side gain the result they're after. 

Tony Smith’s men looked composed last week as they brought an end to Leeds’ winning start. Ben Westwood was immense in a powerful team display and the back three of Kevin Penny, Stefan Rachford and Matty Russell always looked dangerous. I was very impressed with Gareth O'Brien's kicking game. We'd highlighted in warm-up that sometimes that was Warrington’s Achilles heel; not last week when it mattered though. After that victory you can see why most people are fancying them for the title. Speed, skill, power and bravery are all necessary traits of a successful side and the Wolves have them. 

Prediction: I'm going for an upset, if you can call it one. This game won't disappoint the neutral, although it will disappoint the away fans. St Helens by 10.

Barrie says: This is as good as it gets in modern-day Super League. The way they play 99 times out of 100 makes for classics. Neither of these teams has found their rhythm in Super League XX. Despite the results Saints haven't quite been their usual dominant team of past.

I was impressed with the character they showed in their win over Widnes in the last round. To battle their way through a very tough local derby was impressive. Warrington were really good last weekend and systematically tore their opposition apart. With that said, looking at this with cold, hard facts in mind, Saints haven't lost a single game. On this run of momentum-building wins, Saints are showing that they have 'it'. When you have 'it', things tend to go your way, and they are the team showing the early ability to close of matches.

James Roby and Kyle Amor are back for Saints which is a huge boost for their side, and with them in the team it could take them over the line in what will be a very physical encounter.

Prediction: Saints are going to edge this one I think, by 2 points.

Leeds v Wigan: 7.30pm, Fri, Sky Sports 3HD

Terry says: The Rhinos are seeking a third consecutive home win over the Warriors. Both teams are well respected in the world of rugby league and have competed in some classics.

Cast your minds back to when a slender, muscular Terry O'Connor repeatedly sidestepped and outpaced a short tubby bloke called McDermott, or when Brian Carney ran the length of the field to score a try that would take Wigan to the Grand Final in 2003. How times have changed; Carney couldn't even run a bath now. 

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Leeds have lost just one game this year and they had opportunities to win at Warrington last week. Within the Rhinos you genuinely have individuals that can turn a game and win it with one play. Kallum Watkins is one of the best centres in the world, Ryan Hall has proved it time and again that he is world class, and Kevin Sinfield is probably the best player that Leeds have ever had play for them in the Super League era. It's tough to write them off, even after a loss. 

Wigan had to earn a tough two points against Hull and were pushed all the way. Already missing Sean O'Loughlin and Ben Flower (suspended), they've now picked up injuries to Josh Charnley, Sam Powell and a big star of the future, Ryan Sutton. The strength of the big clubs is that they can replace them with the likes of Dom Manfredi and George Williams.

Wigan have not played as well as Shaun Wane would like. Yes, they toughed it out last week and have shown glimpses of what they are capable of, but they are not hitting the correct notes yet. They are trying and sometimes the more you try the harder it is to hit that perfect performance because you are pushing chances.

Wigan have had two two-point losses – including the World Club Challenge – one one-point loss and a draw against 12 men. The worst game they played was at Castleford and that's when Waney said it was the worst day of his coaching career. 

Prediction: Wigan will be spirited and will fight till the end but I fear they may not have the experience to win this tough game in front of a packed out South Stand. I’m going for the Rhinos to win by 10 points.

Barrie says: It’s around this time of year that Terry tries to remind himself that he’s not an old, slightly balding Ray French lookalike! All the bad memories he has of all the Leeds v Wigan encounters come flooding back to him when this encounter is on the cards.

This has always been a special fixture for me. After being shown the door by Wigan it was always a great occasion as a Leeds player who was born in Oldham having a chance to get one over the old enemy! Over the last few years it’s been all Leeds but Wigan have had their place in rugby league history for a period too.

History aside, these both these sides are in slightly unfamiliar territory. Wigan are struggling for form, and only just got over the line against Hull FC last week. Leeds made a trip to Warrington and were beaten in every department on the day.

Kevin Sinfield has an injury doubt and without him Leeds are a completely different team, with a competely different make-up.

Prediction: It doesn’t matter where these teams are in the league or who has more momentum, they are both stoic teams – very strong and very proud. This will be a marquee game of the highest order and I’m going with a Leeds win by two points.

Castleford v Salford

Terry: Castleford by 10

Barrie: Salford by 8

Hull FC v Catalans Dragons

Terry: Hull FC by 18

Barrie: Hull FC by 10

Wakefield v Huddersfield

Terry: Huddersfield by 14

Barrie: Huddersfield by 14

Widnes v Hull KR

Terry: Widnes by 6

Barrie: Widnes by 4