Post by SalfordSlim on May 25, 2016 18:57:35 GMT
Ok, so I'm probably getting ahead of myself here but I was looking at the fixtures last night and trying to predict how the next 8 games might pan out. Yes I know there are always shock results etc but here's my uneducated prediction on how things may end up based on current form, fixtures remaining and maybe a little touch of bias... 
First of all I'm counting Leeds out and Wakey & Cas into the top 8. Leeds on 6 points can't buy a win and Wakey on 16 can't lose at the minute. Cas sit on 15 points and seem to have hit a decent run of form. Next up we have Widnes in 8th on 12 points and they're in freefall and realistically the only current top 8 club likely to drop out.
That leaves.....
9th - HKR 9pts
10th - Salford 8pts
11th - Hudds 8pts
So what are the remaining fixtures for Widnes, HKR, Salford & Hudds?
Widnes - IMO they have the toughest run in. Home games against Hudds, Wigan, Salford & Catalans. Away games at Hull, Cas, Leeds & Saints. They really need to win at least 3 home games and maybe a win at Leeds to be certain of the 8. Personally I'm going to predict a measly 4 points from those games. The Salford game will be pivotal.
Final points tally - 16
HKR - Like Widnes I don't fancy HKR to pick up many away points at Catalans, Wakey, Saints or Hull. Throw in tough home games against Wigan, Wire, Hudds & Leeds and on current form 3 wins from 8 might be as good as it gets.
Final points tally - 15
Salford - Probably the most unpredictable of the bottom 5. 5 home games against Wakey, Wigan, Hudds, Cas & Hull are crucial. 3 away games at Leeds, Wire & Widnes might even pull in a couple more (usually) unexpected points. A win this Friday is massive and if we get those 2 points against Wakey I can see another 3 or 4 wins as the lads will have the bit between their teeth.
Final points tally - 16/18
Hudds - Have they finally found a bit of form? Currently 11th but more than capable of stringing a run together. Widnes, Salford, Hull & Wire away and Cas, Wakey, HKR & Saints at home. Similar to Salford I expect another 4 or 5 wins so that 8th spot may well come down to points difference.
Final points tally - 16/18
It seems pretty obvious but there are some massive "4 pointers" coming up. Ultimately I think these games will decide the top 8 more than a couple of shock results.
So, FWIW, my totally unbiased bottom 5 is.....
8th - Salford
9th - Hudds
10th - Widnes
11th - HKR
12th - Leeds (can't believe I'm typing that!!!)
I honestly think we're capable of squeezing into that 8 but a couple of suspensions/injuries to key players could make all the difference with our lack of squad depth. Of course all this could be a pointless exercise if the appeal goes well but at least it's made my banal commute home from work more entertaining!
First of all I'm counting Leeds out and Wakey & Cas into the top 8. Leeds on 6 points can't buy a win and Wakey on 16 can't lose at the minute. Cas sit on 15 points and seem to have hit a decent run of form. Next up we have Widnes in 8th on 12 points and they're in freefall and realistically the only current top 8 club likely to drop out.
That leaves.....
9th - HKR 9pts
10th - Salford 8pts
11th - Hudds 8pts
So what are the remaining fixtures for Widnes, HKR, Salford & Hudds?
Widnes - IMO they have the toughest run in. Home games against Hudds, Wigan, Salford & Catalans. Away games at Hull, Cas, Leeds & Saints. They really need to win at least 3 home games and maybe a win at Leeds to be certain of the 8. Personally I'm going to predict a measly 4 points from those games. The Salford game will be pivotal.
Final points tally - 16
HKR - Like Widnes I don't fancy HKR to pick up many away points at Catalans, Wakey, Saints or Hull. Throw in tough home games against Wigan, Wire, Hudds & Leeds and on current form 3 wins from 8 might be as good as it gets.
Final points tally - 15
Salford - Probably the most unpredictable of the bottom 5. 5 home games against Wakey, Wigan, Hudds, Cas & Hull are crucial. 3 away games at Leeds, Wire & Widnes might even pull in a couple more (usually) unexpected points. A win this Friday is massive and if we get those 2 points against Wakey I can see another 3 or 4 wins as the lads will have the bit between their teeth.
Final points tally - 16/18
Hudds - Have they finally found a bit of form? Currently 11th but more than capable of stringing a run together. Widnes, Salford, Hull & Wire away and Cas, Wakey, HKR & Saints at home. Similar to Salford I expect another 4 or 5 wins so that 8th spot may well come down to points difference.
Final points tally - 16/18
It seems pretty obvious but there are some massive "4 pointers" coming up. Ultimately I think these games will decide the top 8 more than a couple of shock results.
So, FWIW, my totally unbiased bottom 5 is.....
8th - Salford
9th - Hudds
10th - Widnes
11th - HKR
12th - Leeds (can't believe I'm typing that!!!)
I honestly think we're capable of squeezing into that 8 but a couple of suspensions/injuries to key players could make all the difference with our lack of squad depth. Of course all this could be a pointless exercise if the appeal goes well but at least it's made my banal commute home from work more entertaining!
