We have

Hull
Wakey
Leeds
Warrington
Huddersfield

Unless we can fluke some serious points I can't see us getting a better points difference than Leeds or Wigan. So if we lose our game advantage we drop a place.

Hull I think is winnable, they have their issues at halfback too. But the rest of the games should go true to form this week.

Wakey at home, I'd hope we win. Only Hull KR away seems to be dodgy that week for Wigan.

Leeds Away is tough, but it's after the CC final so who knows. If Leeds get to the final will they all play again and be up to it on the Friday??

The Week we play Warrington it's at home and they have had a dip in form recently. Also Wigan and Leeds play each other so someone is going to lose a point.

I'd give us 50/50 of getting top spot. 2nd is no better than 3rd really as it's a tough draw.

If you get top spot, you have to be favourites to make the final, but in our case probably not win it.

If we beat Hull and Wakey, our chances go up a hell of a lot. If there are any shocks and Leeds lose one. Then I would put us as favourites.

It's been confirmed on the RFL twitter feed it's the highest placed team in the league table who doesn't make the GF.

This does surprise me - Sky/RFL have not rated the League Leader's Shield (aka Hub Cap) as much of an achievement / trophy.

Any chance of Saints progressing beyond week 1 relies on us losing this week and Catalans doing us a favour. Would give us a home semi against Huddersfield.....which we'd probably lose anyway. In reality I see us losing and Cas winning which would give us a home schlacking off Wigan in week one.

Actually, If Catalans, Huddersfield and Wigan/Wire win, Cas would finish 4th.