The second Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final comes from Headingley on Saturday afternoon and sees Warrington Wolves taking on Hull KR for a place in the Wembley final in four weeks time.
Both sides had good wins in the quarter final. Hull KR overcame Catalans in front of their own fans while Warrington were too strong for Leigh and now both sides are just 80 minutes from the showpiece occasion at the national stadium.
Warrington were in poor form around the time of their quarter final win but since then they have got themselves in gear and are looking like the dangerous side we know they are again. They are looking potent in attack and in defence they have really tightened up.
The Wolves will go into this semi-final without the influential Ben Westwood who has been suspended for an incident in their big win over Castleford last weekend. Matty Russell has been confirmed as out for the season by his coach so he will also miss out here but Gary Wheeler is fit and could come into the side with Stefan Ratchford moving back to full back.
Hull KR were in the middle of a purple patch when they saw off Catalans in the previous round but that patch has well and truly ended and they arrive at Leeds off the back of four successive defeats with the latest of those being a really heavy one at St Helens last week.
Albert Kelly missed that match as a precaution but he is in the squad for this match while French hooker Kevin Larroyer is back from suspension too. Ken Sio was rested last week and he’s in the squad for this match as well so Hull KR are close to full strength apart from their captain Terry Campese who is out for the remainder of the season.
These two sides have met twice this season in the Super League and they have both won their home match fairly comfortably. This will be the final time they meet this season because Hull KR didn’t make the Super Eights and both sides will be battling hard to win not just the trilogy but set up a huge day out at Wembley.
If this match was five weeks ago I would have really fancied Hull KR but since then their form has dipped and a couple of key injuries have started to hit them hard. Warrington have gone completely the other way and are playing as well now as they have done at any stage of the season. I’m fully expecting Hull KR to give their best performance in recent weeks here but the way they’ve been defending I don’t see it being enough. I expect Warrington to cruise to another Wembley date.
Back Warrington (-8) to beat Hull KR for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Stan James
