There are three games in Super League on Sunday, with two of the likely title contenders in action. Early-season action can often see some surprises sprung and both Warrington and Wigan will be wary of opening game slip-ups.

Hull FC v Warrington

For much of last season Warrington looked the team to beat and many were expecting their first Grand Final success, but another play-off nightmare saw the Wolves frustrated again.

Tony Smith has a big challenge on his hands to banish the memory of last season and mount another bid this term.

Warrington didn’t enjoy the best of starts in 2011, with a surprise defeat to Huddersfield in Cardiff and a trip to the KC Stadium is not the ideal campaign opener for the Wolves, who will be without some key players in the off season.

Full-back Brett Hodgson, stand-off Lee Briers and winger Joel Monaghan are all set to miss the trip to East Yorkshire, while forward David Solomona could miss the first half of the season after breaking his leg in pre-season.

The home side will be keen to impress on the opening day, with not only an expectant crowd but also the desire to please their new coach, Peter Gentle.

The Black and Whites have strengthened during the winter and hopes are high that they will pose a threat to the big four this term.

Newcomers Brett Seymour, Wade McKinnon, Tony Martin, Andy Lynch, Eamon O’Carroll and Martin Aspinwall are likely to feature, but hooker Aaron Heremaia is out injured.

Suggested Bet: Hull Handicap (+6) @ 10/11

Wigan v Huddersfield

After play-off heartache last year, many feel 2012 could be Wigan’s year to lift the Super League title under a new coach.

In his own words, Shaun Wane says he has put “lots of pressure” on his players in pre-season and believes they have shown they are ready to respond.

Wane stated: “I felt last year our skill level was poor, so we’ve done more skill work this summer than they’ve ever done.”

Despite missing props Paul Prescott and Stuart Fielden, winger Amos Roberts and the Code-switcher Joel Tomkins, the Warriors should be too strong for their opening game opponents.

Huddersfield impressed many in the regular season last year, but could make little impact in the play-offs and could be a similar story this year.

The Giants have problems at prop ahead of the trip to the DW Stadium, with Larne Patrick facing a fitness test after he recently suffered a broken wrist in training.

Suggested Bet: First Scoring Play – Wigan Try @ 4/6

Bradford v Catalans

The Bulls endured an awful season in 2011, finishing tenth and outside of the play-offs and their have been plenty of changes to personel in the off-season.

No fewer than five new signings, Adrian Purtell, Elliot Kear, Jarrod Sammut, Luke Gale and Phil Joseph, are set to start the season opener for Bradford and it will take time for them to make the progress they hope for.

Former Bradford favourite Leon Pryce returns to Odsal in a Catalans jersey and with Louis Anderson another impressive new capture, the French side could surprise a few people this season.

Suggested Bet: Catalans – Handicap Betting (-2) @ 10/11.