St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos Prediction: Saints to put an end to losing spell on Magic Weekend

It's Magic Weekend in the Betfred Super League and St Helens face Leeds Rhinos at St James' Park on Saturday evening (19:30, live on Sky Sports Action).

Paul Sculthorpe has shared his frank thoughts on Saints' recent form as well as delivering his St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos prediction.

I’ll be honest, it's getting harder and harder to write this column with Saints struggling for any kind of form.

Last Thursday, we suffered defeat at the hands of Warrington for the third time already this season, taking it to zero wins in the last seven meetings.

Just like the Wigan game a week prior, Saints were the masters of their own downfall. Poor discipline, shocking defence and even worse skill levels put paid to their chances.

Head coach Paul Wellens, who looked gutted in his post-match interview, said there needs to be some "soul searching" from certain individuals and the team as a whole.

As I've said all along, Wello cannot catch a ball or make tackles for his players. Whatever's done in training and whatever philosophies the coaching staff come up with is down to the players to execute.

The usual suspects gave it everything- Mark Percival, Matty Lees and Morgan Knowles to name a few - but unfortunately there were one too many weak links.

I must admit, when I saw the lineup I thought we may be in for a tough night. Bennison, Sambou and Whitby are very small, young and inexperienced. Warrington clearly thought the same as their first two tries came down that side, as Saints trailed 10-0 after 20 minutes.

Wello responded by switching centres and almost immediately, Mark Percival put Jon Bennison over to pull back the lead to 10-4. Warrington were 20-14 up when a Mark Percival try was ruled out by the video referee, despite clearly showing him being pulled back by Ashton. This seemed to turn the tide and further tries from Tai and Dufty put the home side out of reach.

I did speak last week of Wello’s team selection, following his decision to leave skipper Jonnie Lomax out of the Good Friday derby. Well, he chose to stick with the same spine of Sailor at full-back and Welsby in the halves with Whitby.

After that performance, I imagine things may change again. For me, Tristan Sailor is adding nothing. Since those opening rounds against Salford Academy, Wakefield and Castleford, he has been a passenger - and that's even in his preferred position.

Star signing from overseas or not, if he’s not performing things have to change. Unfortunately, it’s not just him. A number of players are not playing to the standard expected at this club..

Things don’t get much easier for Saints on Magic Weekend in Newcastle, as they face a rejuvenated Leeds Rhinos on Saturday.

A big positive for Saints is the signing of Salford centre Deon Cross. A local lad and former Saints scholar, Cross will add some athleticism and strike on the edge.

I had the pleasure of working with Deon on the England programmes and can honestly say will be a huge asset to the club - both on and off the field.

I'm once again hoping rather than expecting a response from Saints here. Unless there's a miraculous turnaround, I can't see us overpowering Leeds, so I'll go with a win by 1-12 points.

Elsewhere on Magic Weekend, I fancy Leigh to beat the Catalans Dragons in the opener and Hull KR should make easy work of lowly Salford.

Hull FC can continue their good season and inflict more misery on a winless Huddersfield. Wigan should have too much for a Warrington side missing both first-choice half-backs for a significant period - while finally, the West Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield can go the way of Trinity.

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