We are now just two games away from the split from two into three divisions and while there are still a number of issues to be resolved, the picture became a little clearer over the weekend.

In Super League the only certainty for a top four finish is the Leeds Rhinos but Saints, and Wigan Warriors are guaranteed ‘Super 8s’. Wakefield Wildcats are guaranteed ‘Middle 8’s’, and have been for several weeks.

In the Championship Leigh Centurions and Bradford Bulls are certain of Middle 8’s and Whitehaven, Workington, Batley, Hunslet and Doncaster are all definitely in the Lower 8’s.

Widnes Vikings and Salford Reds need Hull KR to beat Hull FC on Friday night and then for both Hull sides to lose their final games (FC at home to Wigan and KR away at Saints) to give either of them a chance of eighth spot. If Widnes could beat Wigan at the DW on Friday and Salford beat Leeds at Headingley at the same time, then Widnes v. Salford in Round 23 would decide who would get that coveted eighth, or even possibly seventh, spot should the Hull sides both slip up.

If Hull FC win Friday nights derby then they are ‘home and hosed’ and definitely in the eight ahead of that tricky looking game against Wigan.

If KR do lose on Friday they will need the Catalans Dragons to lose their two remaining games (at home to Huddersfield and away to Leeds) by some margin to have a chance of knocking them out of the eight and sneaking in alongside their neighbours.

If Catalans win either of their remaining two games then they are also safe in the eight.

Warrington will be eyeing a top four finish but could mathematically still drop out of the eight. It is highly unlikely as it would require two wins for KR and one big win each for the Dragons and FC while they lose their remaining two matches heavily against Saints and Castleford.

Probable Outcome; It all comes down to Fridays game in East Hull. A win for KR and it will be a nailbiting last weekend, a win for FC and they and several other teams will be celebrating.

We think that the Super 8’s will be; Leeds, Saints, Wigan, Huddersfield, Castleford, Warrington, Catalans and Hull FC.

The Championship is equally as intriguing despite Leigh and Bradford already in the Middle 8’s. The interest is over who will join them with; Sheffield, Halifax, Featherstone, London and Dewsbury all holding out hope of the remaining two spots.

Dewsbury’s claim looks the most flimsy. They need to beat Whitehaven on Sunday and then Leigh a week on Wednesday before defeating Batley in the final round. They would also need Halifax to lose their last two games (Doncaster and Bradford) while Featherstone lost one of their two remaining games (Sheffield and Whitehaven) and London did the same (Workington and Sheffield).

London need to win both their remaining games by big margins while relying of Featherstone and Sheffield to lose both of theirs (or lose just one very heavily in Featherstone’s case).

Because of a far worse points difference Featherstone need three points out of a possible four (Sheffield and Whitehaven) while needing Halifax to lose both of their remaining games (Doncaster and Bradford).

Halifax, due to their great points difference, really need just one win to be sure of the top four and Sheffield need just a draw.

Probable Outcome; With Halifax’s great points difference we think that a win for them over Doncaster on Sunday will put them in the four where they will join the Sheffield Eagles who are favourites to collect at least one win in their remaining two games.

We think that the Middle 8’s will be; Hull KR, Widnes, Salford, Wakefield, Leigh, Bradford, Sheffield and Halifax.

We therefore think that the Lower 8’s will be; Featherstone, London, Dewsbury, Whitehaven, Workington, Batley, Hunslet and Doncaster.