Rugby League
Super League Semi-Final Tips 2026: Rhinos on Upset Alert
Just four teams remain in the 2026 Super League season and William Hill News predict which two will make it to Old Trafford.
After last week’s Eliminators, the top four teams from the regular season will all take part in the semi-finals, as Wakefield Trinity and Warrington Wolves join Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos.
Wakefield booked their place in the last four on Friday, producing an impressive display to overcome Leigh Leopards 26-16 at the DIY Kitchens Stadium and reach the semi-finals for the first time.
Warrington followed suit on Saturday, beating Hull KR 35-12 to secure their spot, in turn making it two out of two successful picks in our Super League 2026 Eliminators Predictions blog.
With Wigan and Leeds finishing the regular season in the top two, both sides were handed a week off and have already secured home advantage for their respective semi-finals.
Leeds will be the first team in action when they welcome Warrington to Headingley Stadium on Friday night, with the game getting underway at 8pm.
The second semi-final takes place on Saturday, as Wakefield travel to The Brick Community Stadium to take on League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan. Kick-off is at 5.30pm.
The two semi-final winners will then meet at Old Trafford on Saturday 3rd October, with the Betfred Super League Grand Final kicking off at 6pm.
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves – Friday 25th September, 20:00
The first of the semi-finals sees Leeds Rhinos taking on Warrington Wolves, with the home side hoping to keep their unbeaten record against Friday’s opposition intact. Having won both meetings this season, it’s no surprise to see the Rhinos head into this game as 2/5 favourites.
Despite finishing second, the Rhinos’ recent form has left a bit to be desired. They have lost three of their last five, including a 12-18 home defeat to 11th-place Hull FC on the final day of the regular season which cemented them in second spot, despite having sat top of the tree for the majority of the year.
One of the biggest problems for Leeds has been Lachie Miller’s absence through injury, causing a reshuffle which has seen Ash Handley moved to full-back. Luckily for Brad Arthur, he has had an extra week to perfect those new combinations and should have his team fully firing again here.
Warrington arrive at Headingly in a rich vein of form off the back of their 35-12 drubbing of Hull KR, taking them to eight wins in their last nine matches. Consistency has been the key to their stellar season, as have a number of star names.
Matty Ashton continued his fine scoring campaign with a hat-trick against the Robins, taking his total to 19. That’s a strong return for a side who aren’t necessarily the most free-flowing in attack, with a number of their wins coming via a strong defensive base.
Ben Currie has been at the heart of the defence, ranking fourth in Super League for total tackles (933). That defensive steel could help Warrington to nullify the attacking threat of Handley and Jake Connor, the latter who has assisted a whopping 43 tries this season.
Expect this to be a tight affair, with little to choose between the attacking potency of Leeds and the defensive solidarity of the visitors.
Prediction: Warrington Wolves +8 Handicap Betting – 5/6
Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity – Saturday 26th September, 17:30
Saturday evening’s semi-final sees League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan Warriors welcome final four debutants Wakefield Trinity in a clash that looks heavily weighted in the home side’s favour.
Wigan arrive here as 1/6 favourites and it’s easy to see why when you factor in their 26-12 and 10-48 victories over Saturday’s opponents this season. The Warriors finished the season on a high as well, thrashing Leeds 8-40 before putting Catalans Dragons to the sword with a 50-12 home victory.
Taking all that into account, it looks very sensible to side with the league’s leading team to get the job done,
That said, Wakefield are certainly not going to roll over when their fans turn up to The Brick Community Stadium to watch their first ever semi-final. Head coach Daryll Powell will want to reignite memories of his last-gasp semi-final victory as Castleford boss, when his former side made it to Old Trafford with a Golden Point victory over St Helens.
Powell and his captain Mike McMeeken have been central to Wakefield’s recent rise, as has another former Tiger in Jake Trueman, with Trinity’s half back providing an impressive 27 assists this season. He and his skipper will be integral if Wakefield are to get anything out of this game.
While there is a glimmer of hope for the visitors, this looks a tough ask for their first ever semi-final and it would be a real shock should they make it to Old Trafford.
Prediction: Wigan Warriors -14 Handicap Betting – 17/20
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – odds subject to change*
