We've finished third. There is no expectation. There is hope and desire, but I think expectation is over doing it a bit. In terms of expectation, I would say there is more on Huddersfield shoulders. Having won the league and looked strong they will have some pressure. To end such a positive season with just a hub cap would be a massive disappointment for them, and hey may not be able to take the pressure.

Leeds have applied the pressure last night. They have shown they have another level, and they have shown what you will have to beat if you want to take the spoils at Old Trafford. Can Huddersfield go up another notch, and have Warrington got something left in the tank.

No pressure just sit back and enjoy the ride.

I think Wigan will get beat by Huddersfield and struggle to a win the next week, whoever gets them in the semis will put 30 minimum on them.

Hudds have to turn up now. It's been rare for the team finishing top to massively bottle, however, they could have two very losable big games to play before they get to OT. I think this year could be the hardest to predict of any - IMO any of the top 4 are perfectly capable of winning it and I couldn't pick . I would also say that Saints are capable of causing some shocks, maybe even making OT themselves (and if they do that then they have a chance as well).

I've always said that the only thing more difficult to deal with than losing in the CC final is winning it.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a Leeds V Wigan final this year.Both clubs are very competitive at this end of the season.

It might sound strange but i wouldnt want to be in hudds shoes at all. They have no playoff pedigree, losing 7 from 9 i believe yet they finished top and everyone expects them to at least make old trafford, and blitz their opposition like they have done during the regular season. I just think it's a bad cocktail of circumstances.

I just don't think they'll make old trafford. I think they'll win in week 1 but when it get's to that final crucial 80 minutes they'll falter.

I would,if results go our way,I would expect Leeds to pick Wigan in the club call,them being the lowest ranking team.

How would leeds pick wigan in the club call?

For leeds to even get the club call, would mean huddersfield and warrington both losing, and if huddersfield lose to wigan, wigan won't even be an option in the club call.

the giants have had a great season and have been the best side in the weekly rounds
however they need to back up their excellent season's form and at least make the final before anyone will give them the respect they fully deserve
could they win it?
yes they could but i don't think they will

imo warrington are the team to beat and i believe that we will have possibly 2 play off games against them in order to make the gf

i'll go for a giants v rhinos or warrington final

Two more weeks of meaningless fixtures after this weekend is completed until the season kicks off for real on Thursday 26 September.

Do Leeds want a week off? And would it benefit them if they did earn a week off? Recent success has been built on building momentum playing every week in the play-off's while those earning a week off haven't fared too well when it really counts in the proper semi final.

My personal view? Leeds may well be better off losing at Warrington next week. Continue building momentum a week later at home to whipping boy SL rabble, then turn it on in the proper semi final the week after... probably away at Warrington... where they'll bottle it under pressure and wonder what the actual point was of winning 2 weeks earlier.

Lots to happen before this could happen, but a VERY interesting scenario would be a Leeds loss and a Wigan win next week...giving ClubCall to Warrington.

Then Leeds and Huddersfield wins in week two - who would Warrington pick?? Surely then the 'automatically pick the lowest ranked team' approach would be ditched given their recent record against Huddersfield?

Are you really classing Saints as 'whipping boy SL rabble' these days?

There would be a chance that we would face them at Headingley in week two?

I concur. The week off will not do leeds any good IMO.

No it wouldn't because Tony Smith's opinion of club call isn't exactly positive and he doesn't strike me as the type of person to change his mind by agreeing to polish turds to order. He doesn't even bother turning up for the non-event, instead leaving the club call announcement to someone else at the club - which is always "lowest ranked team selected" whoever it might be.