St Helens vs Castleford Tigers Prediction: Saints to bounce back

Prior to their one-week break, St Helens were beaten 16-4 by Leigh Leopards - and they'll be hoping to get their play-off bid back on track this Friday when they welcome Castleford Tigers to the Totally Wicked Stadium (20:00, live on Sky Sports +).

Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe is here with his St Helens vs Castleford Tigers predictions.

It would be remiss of me to open this week's column with anything other than the sad loss of our good friend, and voice of rugby league, Mr Ray French MBE.

Ray 85, who’s iconic voice always takes me back to being a young rugby league player, sat at home watching my heroes run out in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.

Later in life getting to know Ray personally through our great game, he was such a warm, friendly man, who, to be honest you, could listen to all day.

I had the pleasure once of sitting next to Ray on a plane all the way to Australia, and as you can imagine he had some tales to tell!

A Saints Hall of Famer, former captain of the club and dual-code international, Ray leaves a great legacy and will forever remembered and respected. Sincere condolences to all Rays family and friends.

On to the Betfred Super League, and following a week off, Saints will be back in action this Friday at the Totally Wicked Stadium against the Castleford Tigers.

It will have been a long 15 days for Paul Wellens and his squad, no doubt itching to right the wrongs of their last performance against an in-form Leigh Leopards.

Following a run of five consecutive wins, Saints were outclassed, going down 16-4 at home.

This week is a must-win game, but it won’t be easy. The Tigers, who have Chris Chester as interim coach following the departure of Danny Maguire, will come to the TWS full of beans after their biggest performance of the season last weekend.

The Tigers added more misery to Sam Burgess and the Warrington club, beating the Wolves by 20-14.

Hopefully, Wello will have a bolstered squad to choose from following the week off, and a number of returning players having had a run out in the reserves last week, including the Hull-bound duo James Bell and Joe Batchelor.

Saints, currently sat fifth in the Betfred Super League, will be looking to further cement their place in the all-important top six. A win over the Tigers will see them jump over the Leeds Rhinos into fourth, and nearer that play-off place.

Alongside the Tigers surprising over Wire, there were other big wins across Super League. The impressive Wakefield Trinity beat Leeds with a last-minute drop goal, and pushed themselves into the top six.

The inconsistent Huddersfield Giants defeated Hull FC, and along with the Wakefield win ultimately knocked them out of the play-off places.

Title sponsors Betfred still have Hull KR as 11/10 favourites for Old Trafford glory. Wigan 11/8, Saints 14/1, Leigh 10/1, Leeds 12/1 and Hull FC 50/1 also worth a punt.

Back to Friday, the St Helens vs Castleford Tigers Odds are as follows: Saints are 1/10, Castleford 13/2 and the draw is 22/1.

I’m hoping to see a refreshed, rejuvenated and entertaining Saints side put on a show, and the visitors in their place. With some free-flowing attacking rugby and ruthless defence, I’m tipping a home win by 18 points.

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