St Helens vs Catalans Dragons predictions: Saints can narrow the gap
- St Helens have won their last eight home meetings against Catalans Dragons
- St Helens have won eight out of their previous nine matches in all competitions
- Recommended bet: St Helens -7.5 handicap
The race for the Super League League Leaders' Shield could go down to the wire and St Helens will fancy their chances of gaining ground on current top side Catalans Dragons when the two teams meet on Thursday evening.
Ahead of kick-off, Catalans have a two-point cushion over second-placed Leigh Leopards, while they are four ahead of Paul Wellens' Saints side.
St Helens come into the game on the back of successive wins, while Catalans lost to Huddersfield Giants last weekend.
Team news
St Helens boss Wellens could welcome back Curtis Sironen from a hamstring injury, with Dan Norman also returning from his two-week loan spell at Leigh. Lewis Baxter and Tee Ritson have dropped out of the matchday squad.
Joe Batchelor (ankle) and Tommy Makinson (hamstring) will miss out, but Wellens has revealed that they could feature in the Challenge Cup tie against Leigh later this month.
Steve McNamara was without Mitchell Pearce and Sam Tomkins last time out, but the pair could return in time for Thursday's trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium, although Arthur Mourgue is out through an ankle injury.
The stats
No side have scored more points than Catalans this season, with McNamara's men tallying 490 in their 18 matches. However, they will need to be at their very best to penetrate the St Helens defence, who have only conceded 245 points, the lowest in Super League.
The Saints have an incredible record against Catalans, winning their last eight meetings at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with Catalans' last success at the Merseyside venue came in April 2016.
St Helens' Jack Welsby is one player to watch out for, as he has scored a try in each of his team's last three meetings with Catalans.
Prediction
St Helens still have a game in hand over their rivals after winning the World Club Challenge earlier this season and it may not be long before the reigning four-time champions sit top of the pile once again.
The Saints have been slow out of the blocks, but they are finding their feet at the perfect time and eight wins from nine suggests they are clicking at a pivotal moment in the season.
Confidence may be low in McNamara's dressing room after their surprise defeat to Huddersfield and they could come unstuck again at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
