As Super League XII enters the final quarter of the season, it is proving one of the closest yet - with only basement side Salford Reds out of the hunt for a play-off place.

As the race for the top six hots up, only five points separate sixth-placed Wakefield Wildcats from Hull Kingston Rovers in 11th. So which sides seem best equipped to hold their nerve and clinch a place in the end-of-season head to heads?

In recent weeks the current top four of St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors have all met - with the results giving very little indication as to who will take the major prize in October. Current champions and league leaders St Helenshave suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bradford and Leeds, and are facing their first hat-trick of losses in three seasons.

'The class and strength in depth of the current top four suggests they will still occupy those places come the end of the season'


The form of second-placed Leeds has also been indifferent and despite the victory over Saints, they have lost in recent outings to Wigan and Bradford. In between times, Wigan have defeated Bradford and this weekend sees two of the top four meet yet again when St Helens entertain local rivals Wigan.

This series of results has meant that no team has been able to dominate the league but the class and strength in depth of the current top four suggests they will still occupy those places come the end of the season. And while the top four slug it out for play-off home advantage, the battle for the final two play-off places is proving to be the more intriguing.

Harlequins RL, the surprise package of the season, currently hold fifth place and have a great chance of making the play-offs, but their recent poor away form – they have lost their last four away games – may be their undoing.

Wakefield Wildcats are occupying the final play-off place and are enjoying a resurgence under coach John Kear. But they are another team whose form has been indifferent of late - beating Wigan, then losing to Huddersfield Giants - and their next two games against Leeds and Bradford will determine whether the Wildcats have the class to stay in the top six.

Elsewhere Hull, Warrington Wolves, Huddersfield Giants, Catalans Dragons and Hull KR all harbour hopes of making the play-offs, and mathematically all still could. Realistically, Hull and Warrington are the best placed to challenge the top six and with the Warrington's recent form, and remaining fixtures, expect the Wolves to sneak into the play-offs at the expense of Harlequins RL.

So with a quarter of the season to go, the sides making the Super League play-offs will be St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls, Wigan Warriors, Wakefield Wildcats and Warrington Wolves.

And the winners? If the RFL don’t penalise Wigan too harshly over the salary-cap matter, I have a feeling that Super League XII could belong to the Warriors. Head coach Brian Noble is the master in preparing teams to peak at the right time. And with the way that his team are currently performing, in both the Super League and the Challenge Cup, who would bet against them?