The Catalans Dragons will find out who their opponents will be in the Super League XXVIII Grand Final a week today when the Wigan Warriors play host to Hull KR in the second semi-final on Saturday afternoon.
This semi-final sees the winners of the league leaders’ shield going up against the Challenge Cup finalists which shows just how well both teams have travelled this season. That will mean nothing if they are not going to Old Trafford next week so there is all on this.
Where to watch
We have two channels to watch this semi-final on. It will be shown live and in full on Channel 4 and Sky Sports Arena with the kick off at the DW Stadium coming at 12.45pm.
Wigan Warriors
The Wigan Warriors have been the best team in the Super League throughout the season and now they will be looking to show that dominance and get themselves back to Old Trafford. By topping the table Wigan guaranteed themselves home advantage in this semi-final and the week off last week to prepare for it but they had both of those positives in their favour last season and came up short against the Leeds Rhinos and they won’t want a repeat of that.
Wigan have the potential in attack to blow any team in the competition away and they go into this match having won their last nine in Super League. Incredibly no opposition in their last six matches have made it to double figures which highlights how well the Warriors are performing defensively so if their attack is anything near their best then they are going to be very tough to beat not just here but in the final next week.
Hull KR
After already losing in one major final this season, Hull KR will be determined to get to the biggest dance of them all and have a shot at Super League glory next weekend. They certainly won’t need me to remind them that the team they beat to get to the Challenge Cup final were a certain Wigan Warriors and they will be looking to use those memories in their favour. Hull KR had a very good win over Leigh Leopards last week to get into this semi-final.
Hull KR bounced back from losing the Challenge Cup final in such a heart-breaking fashion by winning their last five matches in the regular season and then they extracted that revenge against Leigh last week so they are in good order. No team in that time have put up more than 18 points on the Robins so defensively they are performing well so if they can find ways to punch holes into this Wigan defence, KR could be Old Trafford bound.
Special Offer
OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH 888SPORT AND BET £10 TO GET £30 IN FREE BETS PLUS A £10 CASINO BONUS! PERFECT OFFER TO USE ON THE SUPER LEAGUE! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO JOIN. USE CODE 30F. NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY. 18+ T&Cs apply (See image for significant terms). Gamble Aware.
Team News
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has made one change to his squad for this semi-final with Willie Isa being a part of the setup for the first time since July. He comes in for Iain Thornley for what could be his 200th appearance for the club.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters has also made one change to his personnel ahead of this semi-final. That sees Dean Hadley coming back from injury and he will replace Sauaso Sue who misses the game with an injury of his own.
Betting
There have been four previous meetings between these two and Hull KR were competitive in the first three, winning two and losing the other in golden point extra time. Their latest meeting saw Wigan batter Hull KR but there was a mitigating circumstance in that as Hull KR rested everyone of note ahead of the Challenge Cup final the following week. That would suggest to me that this is going to be a tight semi-final.
I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off the bet that has won twice for us in the three play-off matches so far in that the scoring will be opened by a penalty but Wigan don’t have a kicker I want to rely on so I will side with Hull KR to stay within 10 points of Wigan in this one. In the three matches that have counted this term, Hull KR have won twice and held Wigan in the other one. This is a game of just winning rather than running up the score and both sides will give this everything they’ve got. I fancy Wigan to win but not by more than 10.
Tips
Back Hull KR (+10) to beat Wigan Warriors for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with William Hill
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2023
