St Helens vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Saints to slay Dragons

Two sides struggling for form in Betfred Super League this season meet at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday night (20:00, live on Sky Sports +) as St Helens entertain Catalans Dragons.

Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe previews the tie, sharing his St Helens vs Catalans Dragons prediction.

Every game is a big one in the Betfred Super League, but St Helens' clash with Catalans on Thursday is a must-win for Paul Wellens and Co.

The Dragons, currently a place below Saints in seventh on the table, are themselves desperate for a turnaround in form after an inconsistent start to their season.

Both Wello and Steve McNamara are feeling the pressure at the helm of two clubs that expect success - or at least to be in and around it.

Saints is certainly a club that demand silverware. It’s the reason I joined this great club way back in 1998. I wanted to play on the big stage and alongside some of the best players in the game - Long, Cunningham, Newlove and Joynt to name a few.

Unfortunately, despite all our success over the past 30 years, nobody has the right to it. You have to earn the right - and continuously evolve to stay at the summit.

We’ve seen other clubs go through these tough transition periods. Look at Leeds Rhinos, who've gone from that golden period of McGuire, Peacock & Co, winning trophy after trophy, to a side on the verge of relegation numerous times in the past decade, winning just one piece of silverware since 2017.

Saints famously won four titles in a row between 2019-2022, a feat that will never be forgotten. However, despite still containing a vast number of players from that era, they are not that team anymore.

Unfortunately, age has caught up with a few - and as I've been saying, there are a few in the squad that aren't up to standard.

What isn't acceptable is the keyboard warriors getting personal with a club legend in Paul Wellens. To insult him or members of his family is a disgrace. The man has given everything to this club, and is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Red V. Add to that, you will NEVER meet a more humble and respected guy.

Fans are entitled to their opinion on the team and coaching staff, which is something we accept. It comes with the job. But fans also need to recognise the club isn't entitled to success and no matter what a coach does, things don't always go right.

As I wrote in last week's column, players have to take a massive part of the responsibility for bringing about a change in form - and this needs to start Thursday!

Having a week off while the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals played out means the squad should be refreshed and chomping at the bit. It will have been a long 12 days for the lads since the defeat to Leeds on Magic Weekend.

I imagine we'll see a similar team fielded to the one that finished the game in Newcastle, with Jack Welsby starting at his natural full-back position- where he can do what he does best and cover all the field on attack and return the ball with some vigour and genuine threat - and Jonnie Lomax coming back into the stand-off role.

There’s no doubt the last few weeks will have bruised Jonnie’s ego, but if ever there was someone who can rise to a challenge it’s him. If Tristan Sailor keeps his place in the side, it will have to be on the wing. He has genuine pace, which we saw in the opening few weeks of the season, and maybe this will allow him to just focus on that running game and gain some confidence.

Once again, I'm hopeful rather than confident about a Saints win on Thursday night, despite the fact we're 1/4 at Betfred to claim a much-needed two points.

I'm going for Saints to win by 1-12 points.

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