Steve Deane: The Warriors' run in

Jerome Ropati (L) and Jarryd Hayne (R)are likely to play important roles for the Warriors and Eels. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Cleary's men have seven games left and they are capable of winning five.

Round 20: Rabbitohs (A)Position: 9th

* Last five games: 1-4
* Key injuries: Isaac Luke, Ben Ross, Luke Scott
* It's now or quite likely never for the Rabbitohs. With a horror run-in of matches against the Bulldogs, Tigers, Storm, Panthers, Eels and Dragons, the Bunnies will be desperate to claim two points from the Warriors. But without key hooker Isaac Luke, they have struggled to score enough points, losing narrowly to the Dragons, Roosters and Manly in recent weeks while squeaking past the Storm by two points.
* Prediction: Narrow Warriors victory.

Round 21: Titans (H)Position: 8th

* Last five games: 2-3
* Key injuries: Greg Bird, Joseph Tomane, Sam Tagataese, David Mead
* The injury list continues to grow as the Titans slide inexorably down the ladder. Perched inside the top four for much of the season, the Titans will drop out of the eight altogether if they lose to the Dragons this weekend. A form line of three straight losses suggests that will happen and, with Greg Bird the latest injury casualty, it's hard to see them getting up for the job in Auckland next week.
* Prediction: Warriors win.

Round 22: Sharks (A)Position: 14th

* Last five games: 1-4
* Key injuries: None worth mentioning
* The Sharks' humiliation at Manly last week was the final straw for Ricky Stuart. The crotchety coach's departure may give the Sharks a temporary bounce but that should be fading in three games' time. Cronulla is never an easy place to visit but if the Warriors are serious about being a factor in the finals a win here is mandatory.
* Prediction: Warriors win.

Round 23: Knights (H)Position: 12th

* Last five games: 3-2
* Key injuries: Steve Simpson
* Expected to struggle horribly after losing two key players to a drug dealing scandal, the Knights have at times defied those predictions. Three straight recent victories even brought a potential playoff spot into view - but then came last week's horror show in Canberra. Who knows what the Knights will produce next but the Warriors were good enough to get them in Newcastle just five weeks ago and should be able to repeat the feat at home.
* Prediction: Warriors win

Round 24: Sea Eagles (A)Position: 6th

* Last five games: 2-3
* Key injuries: Brett Stewart, David Williams
* Manly blasted into form with a hammering of the Sharks last week but before that their form line read two wins in seven. Hardly championship form. And this is a Manly side without star strike player Brett Stewart. Even so, Manly tend to find themselves when the finals hover into sight and they will certainly have the foot down with three games remaining.
* Prediction: Warriors lose.

Round 25: Broncos (H)Position: 7th

* Last five games: 3-2
* Key injuries: Justin Hodges
* If there is a side in the competition that has progressed as impressively as the Warriors it is the Broncos. Dead and buried after six rounds, the Broncos clawed their way back thanks to the efforts of a bunch of emerging young stars. The Warriors' spectacular round two victory in Brisbane came at a heavy cost, with Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering re-injuring their hamstrings. Avoiding a repeat of that scenario will be key to the Warriors playoff hopes. Justin Hodges, who is tipped to return soon, is the wildcard.
* Prediction: Warriors win

Round 26: Eels (A)Position: 10th

* Last five games: 2-3
* Key injuries: Eric Grothe, Shane Shackleton
* Which Eels side will the Warriors be facing? A disinterested bunch whose title aspirations have collapsed around them or a resurgent side riding another wave of irrepressible form to the Grand Final? Who knows. The Eels are right on the bubble. Another couple of defeats and they could drop right out of the playoff picture. Another couple of wins and their confidence will be sky high. Either way, it's unlikely the Warriors will be facing the rabble that capitulated 35-6 at Mt Smart in round 17.
* Prediction: Warriors loss.