Friday's game is a massive one for Wigan, and I think The Silverback will have them pumped up to the hilt for it. Leeds win, and it's Wigan's League campaign over for me, Wigan win, and dependent on results elsewhere, they could only be 3 points off a semi final place with the Super8's to play. Anybody who thinks Wigan are even considering putting the cue on the rack to concentrate on the Challenge Cup is being a bit naive I think. A defeat for them Friday would drain some belief, but a win could kick start their season with what is now a near full squad to select from. Having seen our post C.C . Final form in previous seasons, I think it would be foolhardy to star "saving" players for the upcoming semi. The 2 points available could be massive in a couple of months. A drop in form and going to Cas for a play off semi final anybody ? Nah, me neither.

Wouldn't go as far as saying they'll have the cue on the rack already especially Wane, but their players will know where they are in the league table and now it's slim to make top 4.

They've had starters back for a few weeks now, did enough to avoid bottom 4 and Thursdays performance looked like a team who didn't think they could still reach the playoffs. Add in what Wane was fuming about afterwards saying he expected a huge effort for O'Loughlin's 400th game and they were comfortably out enthused by a Wire team already condemned to bottom 4.

You need to factor in the Perpignan effect. I was over there last week and it was around the 30 degree mark also very humid. On Thursday v Wire, Wigan lacked energy, especially in the last 20 minutes. Yesterday the Wigan u19's who also played in Perpignan last week really struggled v Huddersfield and only just won.

I notice today Catalan have fallen apart in the last 10/15 minutes at Saints after only trailing by two points.

I do agree however that much will depend on the Challenge Cup semi final results, AND the fixture scheduling, you wouldn't want to play Cas the week prior to or the week after a Wembley final.

nobody has mentioned injuries either. all clubs have 2/3 keys players who if they are lost to injury will struggle big time. for us, obviously, its parcell and cuthbertson. keeping key players fit is a must this season

Ideally you'd want to face Cas in the last few weeks when they've more than likely already claim the LLS and could have their foot off the gas and resting players. Likewise any team that is mathematically out of the running which looks like it'll take longer to happen this year.

Personally for Leeds wouldn't mind taking on Salford and Wakefield early rounds of the 8's and trying to extend our lead in 2nd place. If Hull beat us in the semi final then play them either side of Wembley.

I actually think losing Galloway will have more of an impact than some people think.
Whilst not spectacular he does the hard yards that others are going to have to cover.
The same applies to Ferres who again gets some stick but both him and Galloway add that bit of experience to the pack.
Hopefully the pitches dry out and the sun starts to shine and we can start moving the ball about with quick play the balls.
For me Saints are still a threat as i predicted several weeks ago.
Let's hope they lose their next game.

It's slim, but not that slim. Look how Hull have fallen from grace. It's not out of the question for a team, possibly Wigan, to do the reverse and climb the table just as quickly. Like I say, by the end of next weekend we could see Wigan only 3 points off a semi final place, and the format of the Super8's means that every game is a 4 pointer. It's not like you're winning games and your opponents are beating some deadbeats to stay clear, everyone is taking points off one another. We all know how much Wigan dislike the biggest club in Superleague, and they won't need any extra motivation to climb the table and beat us in the process. I thought Warrington showed great line speed and intensity to beat Wigan on Thursday, something we will have to more than match to put Wigan's league campaign to bed.

Wigan have 8 games to make up 5 points. Though with pts difference and the relative rarity of draws thats realistically 6 points.

to make up 6 points from 16 is difficult but it becomes much more difficult in the 8s format because clubs play each other. So best case scenario for Wigan is that Saints beat Wakefield and Hull, and Hull beat Wakefield, which would mean that Wigan need to gain 3 wins to be level on points and more likely 4 wins. Out of 8 games that looks a hugely tough ask. Then you take in to account if any of those three sides get victories over Hudds or Leeds or Cas or Salford and Wigan are needing to gain 5/6 games and pretty soon it is going from difficult to impossible.

Right now Wigan need to not only be aiming for 7 or 8 wins in the next 8 games, but are already needing results to go their way. Personally i think they are almost done, id even say that if Saints dont win this weekend they are out of it as well.

As i said before we implemented this new system, there is a problem with the mathematics of the Super 8s in seeing clubs move up from 7th/8th up to the 4 because the fact clubs play each other its only a narrower and narrower set of results that can see movement in league positions.

Well thank you and congrats to yourself too Printer, you were closer and more confident than me.......

If you want Wigan and Saints to miss out its really up to the other teams to stand up. Whilst Smokey's right on the maths meaning its difficult for sides to move a long way in the 8s, part of the reason we haven't seen much movement before is because most sides have given up before they start. This year no side in the top 8 ought to be in that position as they all stand a chance of getting in. If every team goes all out in every game then Wigan and Sts will struggle to move up, but if the likes of Salford (entirely possible) and Wakefield (less likely but possible) implode then two top 4 spots could be up for grabs.

Well with Leeds at least, the less said about the Warrington prediction the better although I'd guess most posters are in the same boat with that one.

People talk about false positions but I think 3rd is about right. Although we currently sit 2nd I think fans of most clubs above Wigan (barring Cas) would accept that Wigan would be above them if they hadn't had it so bad with injuries.

With Saints it's all about away form. 1 win from 10 all year and 5 of their remaining 8 are away from home. Realistically they need to win at least 3 of those 5 away games to have a chance which will be a big ask given their away record.

Really need to beat Wakey away this weekend which won't be easy, whilst a loss wouldn't rule them out mathematically by any stretch I think they just need to start showing they can win away. Also a loss and probable 6th spot would result in away trips to Cas and Leeds.

Can't be a***d with the maths minutae but long winning sequences are pretty rare events these days. Saints and Wigan will struggle to make the play offs IMO.

When does Barba get to play - he could really be the x-factor for Saints

One of those would almost certainly be Hull though (if Wakefield and Salford are losing all their games, Hull are winning at least 2 meaning saints need to gain 4 wins in 8 games, Wigan/Hudds 5)

I don't discount a team imploding, Salford arent in the greatest form at the moment, but when you talk about Saints getting in you need 2 teams to really struggle, Wigan/hudds its 3/4 teams to really struggle.

Personally i think its 4 of the current top 5 with an outside chance Saints could sneak in. Could very well be guaranteed to be that after this weekend as we play Wigan, Saints v Wakefield and Hull v Hudds, 3 home wins and Wigan Hudds Saints are realistically out

The 4th round of the 8's. Can they stay in touch between now and then?

Depends on their fixtures - so if its Huddersfield, Wakefield, Salford maybe if its Cas, Leeds and Wigan maybe not

After tonight's games:

HOME - St. Helens, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity/Salford Red Devil's.
AWAY - Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Salford Red Devil's/Wakefield Trinity.

Wakefield get beat by St. Helens by 15 or more points then we have Salford at home & Wakefield away.

I'm very happy with them fixtures.

I reckon if we win 4 then we are guaranteed in the playoffs, 5/6 should give us a home semi final, very doable considering the only game we wont be favourites will be cas away

Looking at the table Castleford are guaranteed a top 4 place already.

When are the fixtures released?

I would have thought this week. so teams can get their plans in place for travel, tickets and hospitality and such

Weds

Wakefield beaten by more than 15 this afternoon so means Wakefield away and Salford home. No trips outside of Yorkshire needed in the super eights.

I think in a few weeks time there might be a team papping themselves at the prospect of finishing way in front of 2nd place and having to play Wigan to make the Grand Final. It's Leeds v Wigan at Old Trafford for me.