Another terrific weekend of Super League action is in prospect as we edge ever closer to that Old Trafford Grand Final. Friday's match sees St Helens host Leeds Rhinos to sort out who gets a guaranteed final spot and on Saturday Catalan Dragons host Wigan Warriors, and the winner will face the loser of Friday's match for a place in the show-piece event.
 
ST HELENS V LEEDS RHINOS
20:00 GMT - Friday 19th September 2008

The two best teams going at it yet again. Having both won away against each other this season, we are not given much of an indication of what to expect from this encounter.
For me, St Helens have more attacking options than Leeds and I think this will show on Friday. Home advantage is not always huge during the regular season but trust me, on a night like this, the roar of the Saints fans will make a big impression! Neither side will want to have to play another match before the final so this match will be a priority.
Both sides have no new major injury worries to contend with so personnel should not be an issue as there should have been plenty of opportunity to rest and recuperate following the end of the regular season.
Having been unbeaten in 22 matches, having a marginally better playing squad and home advantage are comfortably enough reason for me to expect that Saints will justify favouritism and cover the -4 handicap. It could well be a little tight but in truth, to beat the handicap, Saints would merely have to win by a converted try.
Look out for all three man of steel contenders; Leon Pryce and James Graham of St Helens and Jamie Peacock of Leeds. These three have been excellent all season and worthy contenders..
 
RECOMMENDATION - 4 Points on St Helens -4 @ 1.91 (Stan James, Bluesq, Sportingbet)
 
CATALAN DRAGONS V WIGAN WARRIORS
18:00 GMT - Saturday 20th September 2008

To me it was questionable whether Catalans could raise themselves again after such a long period of switching off at the back end of the regular season but they more than proved that they could by thumping Warrington 46-8. They must be absolutely cock-a-hoop over the season that they have had, and continue to be having.
I thought that Warrington would be able to force out one more big performance but in truth they were simply too battered and bruised to begin with and very early on in the match, the realisation dawned upon me that I'd made a bit of a mistake in tipping them up.
This Wigan side will be an entirely different prospect to the Wolves. Having found some form at the back end of the season, the Warriors come to the south of France looking to secure themselves a crack at the loser of the virtual semi-final contest of Friday. This same stage last year, they produced an away day performance by toppling Hull for that very same privilege.
What Wigan have to do to compete well in this contest is to defend with heart and discipline (giving no silly penalties away), take the game to Catalans with full throttle attack when they get the chance and field position, and make sure that they are in the contest (i.e either lead or be within one/two scores maximum deficit) when it gets to the last quarter because this will be unfamiliar territory for the French side and will most definitely suit the cherry and white's..
It would take a brave man to tip a Wigan win and even though I think it is a possibility, I am not that brave man. What I am going to do though is recommend a back of Wigan +8 because I expect them not to make the same mistakes as Warrington and by the same token, such a devastating performance will be difficult for the French side to reproduce.
On a separate note, this could be the last match in a Wigan shirt for Mark Calderwood as he is moving to Hull FC next season so will want to sign off with a bang. The speedster can prove to be a good bet in the Anytime Try Scorer market and this match could be no exception.
 
RECOMMENDATION - 3 Points on Wigan +8 @ 1.91 (Stan James, Boylesports, William Hill)
1.5 Points on Mark Calderwood Anytime Try Scorer @ 2.75 (William Hill)