Ian Millward's weekend Super League & NRL preview

Recommended bets: Super League & NRL

3pts Wigan (-6) to beat Huddersfield at evens - highly motivated and confidence boosted last week

1pt double Wigan (-6) and Hull (-12) at 3/1 - Hull look a good bet in a fixture they enjoy

2pts Penrith to beat North Queensland at evens - no Thurston makes the Cowboys vulnerable

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Warrington v Catalans (+8) - Saturday, 1500 BST

Warrington used to own Catalans but it was the French side who won a close game earlier this year.

Let's be clear though, we're talking about two really poor sides, both hit by injuries and forced to field some players who aren't good enough for Super League.

Warrington just can't score points and won't be helped by the absence of Stefan Ratchford on that front, so at the prices you'd be leaning towards Catalans here.

However, two out-of-form, rudderless sides don't make for a betting heat and I'll sit this one out, with Catalans +8 getting just a token vote.

Huddersfield (+6) v Wigan - Friday, 2000 BST

It was a good win for Huddersfield against St Helens last week, but they might just be meeting Wigan at a bad time here.

These sides drew earlier in the year, but the Warriors have a superior historical record and they come off a massive Challenge Cup win last week.

They've not won in the league since April and need to win here to avoid an unwanted record - not since 1903 have they gone eight without a victory in the top flight.

That's serious motivation and with Sean O'Loughlin's return having inspired some improvement, they look value to move up the ladder in this battle of the halves.

Hull v Wakefield (+12) - Friday, 2000 BST

Hull have won three in a row now and their record against Wakefield is even better - they've taken each of the last five.

It was close - 12-8 - earlier this year, but conditions are much better now and that favours the more skilful sides, which Hull are compared to Wakefield, especially in the halves.

The visitors also have some injury concerns and were fairly average last week, so everything points towards a Hull win.

Leeds (+2) v Castleford - Friday, 2000 BST, Sky Sports 3

A huge game at the top of the table - if Castleford win this, they'll take a huge step towards topping the standings heading into the Super 8s.

Leeds have won three in a row and enjoyed a walk in the park against lower-league opposition in the Challenge Cup.

Castleford, on the other hand, came unstuck last weekend on the back of a sensational league run and it's a question of how they bounce back.

I think they will find the answers. They have won both meetings with Leeds this year, six in a row all told, and defeat will have really stung.

They also have key players who used to play for the Rhinos, another reason to expect a performance, and they're where they are in the table for a reason.

St Helens v Salford (+6) - Friday, 2000 BST

When you're a club like Salford and you're in there pitching for the Challenge Cup, it can be a big distraction and that could be the case with semi-finals looming.

They'll do well to maintain their focus in the league and St Helens have the benefit of arriving fresh having not been involved last weekend.

They lost to Salford earlier this year but historically have an unreal record in the fixture, and while the Red Devils are a better side in attack right now, it's hard to see them maintaining the standards set last time.

St Helens, on the other hand, have started to move - and they need to - so I'm taking them to win and cover.

Widnes v Leigh (+4) - Thursday, 2000 BST, Sky Sports

The bottom two sides in Super League play each other and Leigh are off a massive high, beating Wigan 50-34.

Widnes, however, won the reverse by 13 points and are finding their feet after a poor start to the season, winning two of their last three.

Half back Joe Mellor and hooker Lloyd White return to the side in key areas and there are also forwards coming back for the Vikings.

Leigh will be full of beans here but Widnes are fresh, they're improving and with home advantage, they can win and cover.

NRL

North Queensland Cowboys (+2) v Penrith Panthers - Saturday, 0600 BST, Premier Sports

All the hype here is around the home side, whose win ratio against Penrith is very good - they've beaten them continually, home and away, over the years.

But the withdrawal of Johnathan Thurston is massive - he's out with a shoulder injury - and may just swing things in favour of the Panthers, who are starting to show a lot of promise and have a fresh squad.

Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm (+10) - Saturday, 1030 BST, Premier Sports

This game is played at a neutral venue in a different state and it's between two top sides in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Storm, however, have four origin players - Cronk, Smith, Slater and Chambers - out, while the Roosters back-up well following Origin games.

Both sides are defence orientated but Sydney have plenty in their favour and can win.

Cronulla Sharks v Manly Sea Eagles (+4) - Sunday, 0700 BST, Premier Sports

Cronulla are the defending Premiers and they're winning constantly, albeit often by a small margin.

I just wonder whether they come unstuck here, though, as Manly have a great record in the fixture and are really good on the road.

The Sharks have five players backing up from the State of Origin whereas Manly have only one and they can make the most of a small start.

Posted at 1050 BST on 22/06/17.