Rugby League
Challenge Cup Final preview: Wembley contest to go down to the Wire
After eight gruelling rounds of Challenge Cup action, only Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves remain, with this year’s winner set to be crowned at Wembley on Saturday 8th June.
Both sides made it to Wembley in convincing fashion and will be heading south full of confidence as they look to land the oldest prize across both codes.
These two were separated by a mere point in last weekend’s Super League fixture and neutrals will be hoping for an equally enticing encounter on Saturday afternoon.
We preview the action below.
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Wigan seeking centenary triumph
100 years on from their first Challenge Cup victory in 1924, and with another 19 to count since then, Wigan Warriors will line up in their 33rd final on Saturday, seeking a 21st triumph in the competition.
They head into this game in spotless form with five wins from their last five games in all competitions. Their last outing saw them defeat Saturday’s opponents and that will surely give the Warriors confidence in their status as 1/2 favourites.
However, although Wigan did emerge victorious against Warrington last Saturday, the one-point margin was not the most convincing and they haven’t come out of the game as well as they would’ve hoped. As things stand, Matt Peet will be without both Adam Keighran and Tyler Dupree, after both were hit with suspensions by the Match Review Panel for incidents which occurred against the Wolves.
That said, Wigan do still have an abundance of talent in their ranks, including Super League’s leading try scorer Liam Marshall, who is the Evens favourite to touch down anytime at Wembley.
If Wigan are to make it 21 titles in 100 years then Marshall will no doubt want to get in on the action – Liam Marshall To Score A Try & Wigan Warriors To Win is 13/8.
Wolves can pounce on weakened Warriors
With last week’s outing against Wigan the Wolves’ only defeat in their last five, they head into Saturday in fine form and with every chance of getting their hands on a 10th Challenge Cup.
10-times runners-up, Wire know defeat in this final all too well and head coach Sam Burgess will be doing all he can to avoid another miserable Wembley outing for the Warrington faithful.
Burgess is still in his coaching infancy, with this his first season as the man in charge. His side currently sit fourth in Super League – just two points behind leaders St Helens – suggesting that he is more than up to the task of coaching a winning Challenge Cup final performance.
Following last week’s league defeat, the Wolves head to Wembley as 13/8 underdogs, but with Wigan suffering suspensions to two key players, they will certainly fancy their chances. Add to that the fact that they were without star half-back George Williams, who is free to return to the side this weekend, and they may see themselves as favourites for the trophy.
Factoring in suspensions and returning players, as well as the slim one-point margin which separated the two sides last time out, the value looks to lie with Warrington. Williams’ return could be pivotal to leading the Wolves to a tenth Challenge Cup final victory.
George Williams To Score A Try & Warrington Wolves To Win is 11/2.
