Super League round five predictions: Too close to call as Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos look to bounce back | Rugby League Newsnews24

After a Challenge Cup break, Super League is back so Sky Sports Rugby League’s Barrie McDermott predicts what is going to unfold in round five…

I think this could be the tightest round of matches to predict so far because every single one of them looks like they are both at the same point at this point in the season. But, that is exactly what we want!

Thursday March 20: Salford Red Devils vs Huddersfield Giants (Sky Sports+, 8pm)

Salford picked up a morale-boosting victory over Bradford in the Challenge Cup and they needed it. They needed to get some feel-good factor throughout that squad and throughout that club.

They fought hard against Bradford and came out on the right side.

However, Salford have lost Brad Singleton to Castleford Tigers this week and it looks like there could be more exits to follow until the takeover gets sorted out.

They are at home, head coach Paul Rowley has done an amazing job, and captain Kallum Watkins is going to have to rally his troops on the field.

They have got a tough task against Huddersfield who they sit joint bottom with on zero points. Both sides are desperate for a win.

Huddersfield seem to have been competitive in every match they have played so, on paper, it looks like two evenly-matched teams.

Prediction: Salford to nick it by four points.

Friday March 21: St Helens vs Warrington Wolves (Sky Sports Action and Main Event, 7.30pm)

St Helens are coming into this match off the back of a pretty big game against Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup. I think Tristan Sailor was brought to Saints to impress and once he gets more used to his environment and his team-mates, he will only get better and that quick-scoring, dynamic, prowess that he has got will end up making him a real fan’s favourite.

Warrington Wolves had back-to-back defeats in Super League but they beat Widnes Vikings in the Challenge Cup. Although they competed hard and came back, they will still be disappointed with an upset loss to Wakefield and will want to get back to winning ways in Super League.

I still think they are a strong contender but they need that confidence in their ranks and this is a great game for them to show themselves and others how serious they are.

With the likes of Matty Ashton and Toby King potentially returning too, they have a chance to shine in attack.

Prediction: I am going for a Warrington win by six points.

Friday March 21: Wakefield Trinity vs Hull FC (Sky Sports+, 8pm)

Hull FC, how impressive were they in the Challenge Cup against Wigan. They are building a real unit there and head coach John Cartwright is getting them to believe in themselves, and to defend strong.

Lewis Martin on the wing is full of confidence and his tries at the weekend showed me just where they are mentally: they back themselves. The game is in the balance, he tucks it under his wing, and scores a try.

Wakefield played Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup after an impressive win over an under-par Warrington. So, both teams going into this match not fearing their opposition with confidence in their own ranks.

Wakefield at home should give them the edge but this is another tight game.

Prediction: Wakefield will win by two points.

Saturday March 22: Castleford Tigers vs Catalans Dragons (Sky Sports+, 3pm)

Judah Rimbu was the standout performer for Castleford Tigers in their last Super League match when they won at home.

Meanwhile, Catalans head coach Steve McNamara is trying to get hi side to play with confidence and trust the process, trust the players around one another, and keep concentration for 80 minutes.

When they do have those lapses in confidence, it often results in tries, so it means in 2025 they have lost a lot of games that they would have liked to have won.

Castleford are getting better, growing with confidence, and now have Singleton in their ranks so that lack of size that has troubled them over the start of the year is slowly getting sorted.

However, Catalans should have enough even with Castleford being at home.

Prediction: Catalans will win by seven points.

Saturday March 22: Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors (Sky Sports Action and Main Event, 5pm)

This was always one of my favourite games of the year when Leeds Rhinos take on a determined Wigan Warriors.

Wigan were booted out of the Challenge Cup by Hull FC and Leeds were not quite good enough at St Helens. Leeds have been very up and down, the inconsistency is there for all to see.

In patches they defend well, it patches they attack well, but they just can’t string that 80 minute performance together.

You would expect Wigan to bounce back, you would expect them to answer those questions that have been asked very quietly of them because the quality is there for all to see from this Wigan side.

Head coach Matt Peet has not had to do this too many times but, coming off the back of a defeat, he has to find the right patterns, the right play, and the right mentality.

Leeds are usually good in these fixtures and if you look at the results over the years, it is usually the team who is unfancied.

Prediction: Leeds will win by four points in a thriller.

Sunday March 23: Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards (Sky Sports+, 3pm)

This is another cracking game on paper. Leigh are a very impressive team at the moment – their recruitment, retention, coaching – they look like they have got everything.

They will not fear going to Hull KR even though Hull KR are a formidable side. This is a game in recent years you would have seen in the division below but now they are both in contention for honours.

Both attack well and both defend committedly for one another so it should be a huge match to end one of the tightest rounds that I Can remember in Super League.

Prediction: Hull KR will win by one point.

Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches each week shown on Sky Sports+