Live on BBC1: Sat 14.30: Wigan are Paddy Power’s 1/4 Challenge Cup favourites but Leeds could nick it and an 8/1 Rhinos bet stands out.
Super League leaders Wigan, at 1/4 courtesy of Paddy Power, are huge favourites to clinch the Challenge Cup at Wembley, however, opponents Leeds, bet365’s 7/2 outsiders, could make life more difficult for the Warriors than the odds suggest, despite their indifferent season in the league.
Betfred’s handicap quote of evens for the Rhinos to be in front at full-time when benefiting from a dozen-point start is undoubtedly tempting then in what should be a tight encounter and it could even be worth backing Brian McDermott’s troops to lift the prestigious trophy.
Leeds have plenty to prove after they effectively failed to turn up in last year’s final, when they went down 30-6 to Warrington and they haven’t been blown away by the Warriors in the pair’s two league meetings, drawing 22-apiece at Headingley and going down by just two when visiting Michael Maguire’s side in July.
Desperate to erase memories of last year then, the Rhinos will hope to be out of the blocks quickly on this occasion and they will look to get their noses in front and then frustrate Wigan. Ambitious punters might therefore consider bet365’s 8/1 for Leeds to not fall behind in the whole match as that would seem like the best route to victory for them; if the Warriors build up a lead it’s hard to see McDermott’s troop reeling them in.
Meanwhile, at 10/1 and 14/1 respectively via Betfred, Wigan’s Josh Charnley and Leeds’ flyer Ryan Hall are worth considering in the first try betting.
Recommended Bets:
Leeds (+12) to beat Wigan – evens (Betfred)
Leeds not to trail in the match – 8/1 (bet365)
Compare all Challenge Cup odds and bet at the best price.
