2007 Season Odds/Predictions

[bartman]

Copied from page three of the Rugby League World insert...

For Grand Final winners:
11/10 St Helens
4/1 Leeds
11/2 Hull
13/2 Wigan
12/1 Bradford
14/1 Warrington
66/1 Salford
80/1 Huddersfield
100/1 Catalans
125/1 Harlequins
200/1 Wakefield
350/1 Hull KR

Is it just me, or do those odds on Bradford seem a bit generous? I think they'll do quite OK this season and be in with a chance. Can't understand why they're 8 points behind Leeds in the betting?

How do people think the top six will be this season?

 

[jed]

Is it just me, or do those odds on Bradford seem a bit generous? I think they'll do quite OK this season and be in with a chance. Can't understand why they're 8 points behind Leeds in the betting?

Bradford's losing a lot of our senior players, and with any injuries are going to rely heavily on blooding our young fringe players. That's good for future years, but I think we'll find it tough to make the GF, let alone win, which is what these odds are quoting.

As far as top 6 goes, I think the odds above are a very good indication, but I think Wakefield are a little far out on the below list - they've got a great coach who turned things around late last season.

My top 6 after 27 rounds would be:
St Helens
Hull FC
Wigan
Leeds
Bradford
Warrington

 

[bartman]

Fair enough, Bulls side doesn't look bad on paper for mine, but as you say an injury or two could test things out.

My top six at the end of the rounds...
1. St Helens
2. Hull
3. Bradford
4. Wigan
5. Warrington
6. Leeds

 

[Fairleigh Good!]

I think it may be Hull's year:

1 & Grand Final winners - Hull FC
2 Leeds
3 St Helens
4 Bradford
5 Wigan
6 Warrington
7 Salford
8 Harlequins
9 Huddersfield
10 Wakefield
11 Hull KR
12 Les Catalans

Challenge Cup Winners: St Helens

Super League looks to be an enormous rut at the moment. There is no sign of any movement between the top half and the bottom, with the exception of Wigan who should be back to something like their level.

People will no doubt ask why I have Saints in third despite them being simply too good last season. I think we are going to see the beginning of the end of the key players at Saints. Long, Cunningham and Sculthorpe have been the backbone of the squad this decade, along with Wellens and they are going to begin to diminish in power. I don't expect Sculthorpe to play any more than 10 games this season and the other two although still superb players will start to be less dominant.

If Wellens injury is a long term one such as a broken leg or ankle I think Saints may find it a lot tougher this term.

Leeds are nicely placed as they have a great squad with signings such as Webb coming in, and no one expects them to win anything. Playing with no expectation like that could help them.

 

[deluded pom?]

Sculthorpe has been a great player but I personally think his career's over. Agree though that Leeds are a good bet. I just hope you are a wonderful clairvoyant Fairleigh and your prediction that Hull win the GF comes true. ;-) By the way Fairleigh, get yourself registered on the RLIF forums. We don't want to be overrun by Aussies do we? :lol:

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I reckon Warrington has got one of the better squads on paper with a lot of depth, more so than Leeds, Bradford and Wigan. If they are ever going to have a crack at a grand final this will be the year. They can't hang around waiting for A. Johns to come back. So on that basis:
1 Saints
2 Hull FC
3 Wire
4 Wigan
5 Leeds
6 Bradford

 

[terracesider]

1: St Helens - not that a great side but they have the knack of winning
2: Hull - building on last season
3: Leeds - more money than they know what to do with but always fall short.
4: Wigan - typical Noble side that will bore everybody but grind results out.
5: Warrington - much the same as 2006. Cullen will get them organised.
6: Bradford - I'm not sure what type of team Macca is trying to put together.
7: Salford - they will battle week in week out.
8: Fartown - I hope I'm wrong, but yet again a good start and finish with the wheels off in the middle.
9: Buffoons - terrible away form usually lets them down
10: Wakefield - no side has more experience battling against relegation.
11: Catalans - still full of worse Aussies than the rest of ESL.
12: HKR: screwed by the system.

 

[Marshall_magic]

St Helens
Leeds
Wigan
Bradford
Hull
Warrington

Huddersfield
Salford
Wakefield
Harlequins
Les Catalans
Hull KR

 

[JasonE]

Here's my top 6 prediction, not in any order.

I really can't see St Helens sweeping all before them this year, they will find it much tougher.

Warrington
St Helens
Leeds
Huddersfield
Hull FC
Wigan

 

[jed]

4: Wigan - typical Noble side that will bore everybody but grind results out.

But that's not the point - the winner at the end of the game gets the points, and Nobby's good at getting his team to that result. Took no time once he moved there last year to stop the rot.

I really can't see St Helens sweeping all before them this year, they will find it much tougher.

Again I agree, and as their team retires or are signed by other clubs, they'll find it even harder. Wigan had a long run at the top in the 90's, Leeds and Bradford so far this decade have been the dominant sides, I'm still skeptical about whether St Helens can stay at the very top for more than a few years.

 

[deluded pom?]

Warrington always flatter to deceive and I can't see this season being any different. They'll beat some of the top teams but lose to some of the mug teams. Cullen to depart the HJ before the season ends.

 

[raiders fan forever]

St. Helens or Leeds SHOULD win the comp this year very strong sides as usual will be interesting how the new team Hull KR does should be a good season

 

[Evil Homer]

For squads and other useful info when making predictions have a look here: http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=158715