The Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals pit together teams that have all played each other recently - and I don’t think there will be more than a try in any of them.
It kicks off with Warrington playing a Catalans side that they beat fairly convincingly in Perpignan recently and they deserve to be favourites. Both clubs have recent Challenge Cup pedigree and players who know what it takes to win it.
These are the games that Warrington brought Greg Inglis in for - high pressure, must-win matches. After his run out last week against Hull KR I’m looking forward to seeing him play in that situation.
Catalans have Sam Tomkins in as good a form as he’s been for a long time and another man who likes the big games in James Maloney. But if I’m nailing my colours to the mast I see Warrington winning a really tight contest.
Then it’s onto St Helens and Huddersfield who also played recently, when the Giants ran the champions close.
Huddersfield will be buoyed by finally winning a game against Leeds last weekend which always adds to your confidence, and Ian Watson is starting to have an impact as coach now. Aidan Sezer is back in the team too which has made a difference - he’s a marquee player who really plays like one.
But for me St Helens’ best performance is too strong for the Giants. They won ugly in the last round against Leeds and I think they’ll have to be better this time around to beat Huddersfield. But in another tight contest I expect Saints to have the edge and book a semi-final spot.
On Saturday Hull face Wigan again eight days after their league meeting, which the Warriors edged 16-14.
The biggest disappointment for me is we don’t get to see a rematch between Zak Hardaker and Jake Connor after last week’s clash. I love those mini battles within a game but Connor is suspended and that’s a shame.
The weather could play a big role in this match with the forecast for heavy rain, and it will make Marc Sneyd’s kicking game even more important than usual. If he can kick long and well then Hull are a real chance of winning.
But the difference between the teams last time was Jackson Hastings with a really busy performance and it could be the same again. I’m tipping Wigan in a really tight tussle.
The last quarter-final sees Castleford take on Salford, again just a week after they met in Super League.
Salford have improved in recent weeks and they still have some big game players in their ranks including Kallum Watkins.
But I like the way Cas have gone about their business so far this year, they’ve been very efficient, and the man who touches the ball more than anybody else, Paul McShane, is in wonderful form. I see it being another close game but I’m going with a Tigers win.
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