Friday 14 July 2017 14:11, UK
We take a look at the permutations for the Super 8s and Qualifiers as Warrington got round 22 of Super League up and and running with a 16-10 victory over Wigan Warriors on Thursday.
Super League top four
Five teams are currently battling it out for a top four spot and an all-important extra home game after the split - with just two points separating Salford, Hull FC and Wakefield who sit in third, fourth and fifth respectively.
High-flying Castleford Tigers are already guaranteed of their spot in the top four come the split after round 23 - they are a whopping 12 points clear of fifth-placed Trinity.
A win for Hull against second-placed Leeds at Headingley on Friday would secure their place, while a point for the Rhinos confirms their spot. Salford can also achieve the same with a victory over league leaders Castleford.
St Helens can mathematically reach the top four, but would need Hull FC to not pick up another point from their final two games.
If this happens and the teams are found level on 25 points, then attention will turn to points difference where Hull currently have the edge over their rivals - a seven-point advantage.
Wakefield travel to Widnes in round 22 looking to keep the battle going for a further week with a win of their own, while hoping one of the two clubs just above them - Salford and Hull FC - drops points.
Wigan's defeat at the hands of Warrington in Thursday night's Super League clash sees the reigning champions' chances of a top-four finish ended, sending them on their travels during the Super 8s.
Super 8s or Qualifiers?
Warrington Wolves kept their slim hopes of a place in the Super 8s alive with a 16-10 victory over Wigan Warriors last night, however, they will still be condemned to the Qualifiers if eighth-placed Huddersfield beat Leigh in round 22.
Catalans, who face St Helens on Saturday, can mathematically catch eighth-placed Huddersfield Giants but due to an inferior points difference (+15 for the Giants and -194 for the Dragons) they would have to win both of their remaining matches by a large margin.
Friday sees the Giants face basement club Leigh, a victory securing them their place in the Super 8s.
Championship top four
Three of the four places in the second tier have already been decided. Hull KR have secured top spot and therefore their place in the Qualifiers alongside London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers, who battling it out for second place and that precious extra home game.
Halifax (28 points) and Toulouse (26) remain in the hunt for the final spot and both face stiff challenges in the final rounds, both facing Hull KR and Featherstone.
Halifax are in the driving seat but should they end up level with their rivals, Toulouse have a 79-point advantage in scoring difference.
Watch the drama unfold live on Sky Sports 3 HD as table-toppers Castleford Tigers take on third-placed Salford Red Devils, Friday from 7.30pm.
