With just two rounds of both the Betfred Super League and Championship left to play before the split into the Super Eights we thought it was about time that we speculated on the likely make-up of that all-important Middle Eights Qualifiers competition.

The bottom four sides in Super League join the top four in the Championship for a seven game mini league which will see the top three clubs into Super League for the 2019 season and the teams finishing in fourth and fifth spot playing off in a sudden death ‘Million Pound Game’ for the remaining Super League place.

With Widnes Vikings and Salford Red Devils already confirmed, they could be joined by two from; Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants, Catalans Dragons or Wakefield Trinity. In the Championship the only side guaranteed a Middle Eights place is Toronto with three from; Toulouse, Featherstone Rovers, London Broncos, Halifax, or Leigh Centurions joining them.

Let us first look at Superleague and the remaining fixtures for the sides in danger of slipping into the Middle Eights;

Hull KR v. Warrington Wolves (H) & Hull FC (A)

Leeds Rhinos v. Widnes Vikings (H) & Salford Red Devils (A)

Huddersfield Giants v. Castleford Tigers (A) & Wakefield Trinity (H)

Catalans Dragons v. Salford Red Devils (H) & Wigan Warriors (A)

Wakefield Trinity v. Hull FC (H) & Huddersfield Giants (A)

We predict the following;

Hull KR - 2 Losses

Leeds Rhinos - 2 Wins

Huddersfield Giants - 1 Win & 1 Loss

Catalans Dragons - 1 Win & 1 Loss

Wakefield Trinity -  1 Win & 1 Loss

That would mean that Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos would join Salford and Widnes in the Middle Eights.

The Championship is equally as confusing;

Toulouse Oylmpique XIII v. Halifax (A) & Dewsbury (H)

Featherstone Rovers v. London Broncos (H) & Toronto Wolfpack (A)

London Broncos v. Featherstone Rovers (A) & Barrow Raiders (A)

Halifax v. Toulouse (H) & Rochdale Hornets (H)

Leigh Centurions v. Swinton Lions (H) & Sheffield Eagles (H)

We predict the following;

Toulouse Oylmpique XIII – 2 Wins

Featherstone Rovers – 1 Win & 1 Loss

London Broncos – 1 Win & 1 Loss

Halifax – 1 Win & 1 Loss

Leigh Centurions – 2 Wins

These results would mean Toulouse Olympique XIII,  Featherstone Rovers and Leigh Centurions joining the Toronto Wolfpack in the Middle Eights.

Our prediction for the make-up of the Middle Eights Qualifiers (in no particular order) is;

• Leeds Rhinos
• Hull KR
• Salford Red Devils
• Widnes Vikings
• Toronto Wolfpack
• Toulouse Olympique
• Featherstone Rovers
• Leigh Centurions

What do you think?