The Super League season draws to a close on Saturday night when the two best sides in the regular season head to the bright lights of the Theatre of Dreams that is Old Trafford to determine the 2016 champions in the Grand Final.
Table toppers Warrington Wolves will be in search of their first title in 61 years while Wigan Warriors, at Old Trafford for a fourth consecutive season, will be looking to repeat the Grand Final success of 2013 where they beat the Wolves to win the title. We’re all set for a brilliant finish to the season.
Warrington Wolves
There is no doubt that Warrington have played in some really big matches this season. They made it to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and then had two bites of the cherry in trying to secure the League Leaders’ Shield. That big game experience is both a positive and a negative. The positive being they have been there and know the nerves and things they’ll be feeling. The negative is that they’ve not had a week off all season.
Over the course of the season Warrington have been probably the best side in the division to watch. Castleford Tigers could argue that but either way any time I’ve watched the Wolves I’ve been royally entertained. They have great ball handlers and pace throughout the side and when they get on a roll they are tough to stop.
Wigan Warriors
It has been an up and down season for Wigan throughout the course of it really. Injuries have deprived them of some key players throughout the entirety of the campaign but that hasn’t denied them a place in this Grand Final and you have to respect their determination to succeed in adversity and that is something that could make a difference here.
Wigan’s successes this season has been based around their defence. For the most part it has been watertight especially when leading players have been on the field but what could be more worrying for the Wolves is how the Warriors’ attack has suddenly come together at the right time and the underdog tag will fit comfortably on the shoulders of these Wigan men.
Team News
Warrington were given a huge boost in the week leading up to the final when Chris Sandow made a return from injury. Brad Dwyer is also back in the reckoning as is Ryan Bailey whose Grand Final experience could be crucial.
Wigan are going to be without Sam Tomkins and while Sean O’Loughlin has been a late addition to the squad that can only be mind games. It would need a near miracle for him to play. Ben Flower is back from suspension after his sending off against this opponent three weeks ago.
Match Betting
I’ve mentioned a few times recently how I have doubts over Warrington in the really big matches. They were nothing like the potent attacking unit we usually come to see of them at Wembley and their first go at winning the Leaders’ Shield was ordinary at best. Yes they can draw inspiration from Hull’s first ever win at Wembley and Cronulla’s amazing win in the NRL final but inspiration can only produce so much.
I think the side who wins this final will be the side who settle into their game the quickest and who are the most comfortable being here and for me that has to be the Wigan Warriors. They have been here every year since 2013 so they know what it is all about and that experience just can’t be bought.
In many ways this final has a Beauty and the Beast look about it and while in all the fairy tales the Beauty triumphs I’m not convinced this is a Beast that will be tamed. I’m with Wigan in this one especially at the prices.
Tryscorers
I’m not expecting an avalanche of tries in this final. Someone will score a try and I quite like the odds surrounding Anthony Gelling. It was Gelling who intercepted the pass to secure Wigan’s win at Warrington three weeks ago and the centre has been over the try line in both matches since. He scored the first try in the first of those matches and the last try last week so at the prices I’m going to chance smaller bets on him to bag the first, last and any time tries.
Specials
I don’t think this final will be a high scoring final. I think the stakes are too high for that and the weather forecast could be better too. I think this will be a defensive battle with field position and kicking games so crucial. With that in mind it could be worth a look at the first scoring play market.
In a normal regular season game you wouldn’t look past a try being the first scoring play. But given how tight this final looks I think if either side get a penalty near the sticks, the kicking tee will be out onto the field quicker than Usain Bolt whizzes past his prey in an Olympic final. You can get 6/1 and bigger on either team to score a penalty as the first scoring play. In a tight tussle don’t see surprised if the scoring is opened with two points as opposed to four.
Tips
WON – Back Wigan to beat Warrington for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Coral
Back them here:
Back A.Gelling First Tryscorer for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Ladbrokes
Back A.Gelling Last Tryscorer for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Ladbrokes
Back A.Gelling Anytime Tryscorer for a 3/10 stake at 3.50 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
Back First Scoring Play – Warrington Penalty for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with Coral
Back it here:
WON – Back First Scoring Play – Wigan Penalty for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 with 888sport
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188Bet have a super money back offer for the game.
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MONEY BACK IF MATTY SMITH SCORES 11 OR MORE POINTS IN THE GAME.
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