Key Points
- Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend
- Wigan to get revenge on Saints?
- Wolves to return to Wembley again?
Challenge Cup Semi-Final Betting Preview
Super League takes a break this weekend with the Challenge Cup semi-finals taking place with the winners advancing to the Final at Wembley Stadium on May 30.
Our
rugby league expert and published author David Kuzio
will be happy he only has two matches to predict after once again falling short with his Super League acca last weekend.
He put his faith in Catalans beating Leigh on hone soil and Hull FC to beat struggling Toulouse, and both his choices let him down. He is hoping he can pick the two finalists this weekend, although with four of the top five teams in Super League in action, this might be harder than you would first think.
Challenge Cup Semi-Final Betting Acca - Dave's Betting Tips
I might only have two matches to predict this weekend, but it is very difficult to predict the winners. The first semi-final is a fierce local Derby with St Helens taking on Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
Form goes right out the window in a Derby match. Neither side will be taking a backwards step. Regular readers will be aware I am a Wigan fan, and I genuinely do think they will beat the Saints. These two recently met over Easter, with St Helens coming back from 24-10 with nine minutes to go to win 34-24.
That defeat hurt the Warriors and their form suffered, they will be eager to gain revenge and dump their rivals out of the Challenge Cup. I have to back Wigan to advance.
The second semi-final on Sunday in Doncaster is just as difficult to call. Current holders Hull KR will take on Warrington Wolves in a repeat of the 2025 Challenge Cup Final which the Robins won with a late try.
The Wolves will remember every bit of pain they suffered at Wembley last season and will want revenge of their own. I think Marc Sneyd will be the difference in this match and his kicking game will take the Wolves back to Wembley for a third successive year.
Challenge Cup Acca
- Wigan to win - 8/13
- Warrington to win - 17/10
- Acca - 3.36/1 @ Quinnbet
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St Helens vs Wigan Warriors - Saturday, May 9th - 14:30 BST
Both semi-finals this weekend are worthy of being on the big stage in the Challenge Cup Final, but only two of the remaining four can book their place at Wembley Stadium. This game sells itself. St Helens versus Wigan Warriors is technically the only Derby in rugby league - although fans of both Hull teams will argue this point. Wigan will still be hurting from the way they lost to the Saints on Good Friday, so I am backing them to get some revenge. The Warriors welcome back Sam Walters and Harry Smith back from suspension - with Wigan certainly missing the latter's kicking game. Smith is a world class player that does not get the recognition he deserves. I am backing him to have a big say on the outcome of this game. The Saints have struggled with injuries this season, but they are starting to get troops back. Jack Welsby returned last weekend, while Deon Cross and Lewis Murphy are up for selection after recent knocks. Kyle Feldt misses out after he failed a HIA last weekend. In recent weeks, Wigan have not had many leaders on the field, while I think Saints will have too many in this semi-final. I am still unsure whether or not Tristian Sailor, Welsby and Jackson Hastings can work well together. I will probably be wrong, but I cannot see anyone of them taking a back seat. I am going with Wigan to win a close and entertaining game with a 6-10 points victory. I am going with Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle and Daryl Clark all to score tries in this semi-final.
Last 10 meetings:
St Helens 34, Wigan 24 (SLR7, 3/4/26)
St Helens 4, Wigan 18 (SLR25, 5/9/25)
Wigan 24, St Helens 14 (SLR8, 18/4/25)
St Helens 0, Wigan 20 (SLR22, 17/8/24)
(at Elland Road, Leeds)
Wigan 16, St Helens 12 (SLR17, 12/7/24)
St Helens 12, Wigan 4 (SLR6, 29/3/24)
St Helens 34, Wigan 16 (SLR15, 9/6/23)
Wigan 14, St Helens 6 (SLR8, 7/4/23)
Wigan 30, St Helens 10 (SLR25, 26/8/22)
St Helens 20, Wigan 18 (SLR18, 9/7/22)
(at St James' Park, Newcastle)
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
2022 (Semi-Final) St Helens 18 Wigan 20
(at Elland Road, Leeds)
2012 (Quarter Final) Wigan 18 St Helens 4
2011 (Semi-Final) St Helens 12 Wigan 18
(at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
2005 (Quarter Final) St Helens 75 Wigan 0
2004 (FINAL) St Helens 32 Wigan 16
(at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
2002 (FINAL) St Helens 12 Wigan 21
(at Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
2001 (Round 4) St Helens 22 Wigan 8
1998 (Quarter Final) Wigan 22 St Helens 10
1997 (Round 4) St Helens 26 Wigan 12
1995 (Round 4, Replay) St Helens 24 Wigan 40
1995 (Round 4) Wigan 16 St Helens 16
1993 (Round 2) Wigan 23 St Helens 3
1992 (Quarter Final) St Helens 6 Wigan 13
1991 (FINAL) St Helens 8 Wigan 13
(at Wembley Stadium)
1990 (Semi-Final) St Helens 14 Wigan 20
(at Old Trafford, Manchester)
1989 (FINAL) St Helens 0 Wigan 27
(at Wembley Stadium)
1986 (Round 2) Wigan 24 St Helens 14
1984 (Quarter Final) St Helens 7 Wigan 16
1982 (Round 1) St Helens 12 Wigan 20
1977 (Round 2) Wigan 4 St Helens 9
1973 (Round 2) Wigan 15 St Helens 2
1966 (FINAL) St Helens 21 Wigan 2
(at Wembley Stadium)
1965 (Round 2) Wigan 7 St Helens 2
1961 (FINAL) St Helens 12 Wigan 6
(at Wembley Stadium)
1930 (Semi-Final, Replay) St Helens 22 Wigan 10
(at Mather Lane, Leigh)
1930 (Semi-Final) St Helens 5 Wigan 5
(at Station Road, Swinton)
1929 (Quarter Final, Replay) Wigan 25 St Helens 5
1929 (Quarter Final) St Helens 2 Wigan 2
1897 (Round 3) St Helens 11 Wigan 0
St Helens vs Wigan Warriors Betting Tips
Wigan Warriors to win - 8/13 @ Betfred
Wigan Warriors to win by 6-10 points - 9/2 @ Betfred
Zach Eckersley to score a try anytime - 4/5 @ Betfred
Jake Wardle to score a try anytime - 6/4 @ Betfred
Daryl Clark to score a try anytime - 9/2 @ Betfred
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- Variety of betting markets
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- Daily draw prizes of £800 from a £1 stake
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR - Sunday, May 10th - 16:00 BST
Warrington Wolves and Hull Kingston Rovers clash in a repeat of the 2025 Challenge Cup Final. The Robins won a tight affair at Wembley Stadium last June with Tom Davies scoring a try with three minutes remaining to seal an 8-6 win. That defeat made it back-to-back Challenge Cup Final losses for the Wolves following their defeat to Wigan in 2024. This has the potential to be another entertaining and close game, but I see the Wolves getting a measure of revenge on the Cup Holders. I understand that the Robins are well backed for this game, but there is something about Sam Burgess' men this season. They seem more focused and switched on. Burgess has been boosted by the return of Luke Yates. The forward has been named in the 21-man squad after suffering with shoulder and neck problems. Rovers coach Willie Peters welcomes back full-back Arthur Mourgue after recovering from the pectoral injury he sustained in their World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos in February. Hooker Bill Leyland is also included after returning from his one-week loan at St Helens. This game will probably go down to the final few minutes, but I feel Marc Sneyd will use all his experience and guide Warrington to a third successive Challenge Cup Final appearance. I am backing them to win by 1-5 points with Albert Hopoate and Matty Ashton both to score tries for the Wolves, while I expect Joe Burgess to score for Hull KR.
Last 10 meetings:
Hull KR 28, Warrington 20 (SLR27, 18/9/25)
Hull KR 8, Warrington 6 (CCF, 7/6/25)
(at Wembley Stadium)
Warrington 12, Hull KR 31 (SLR12, 23/5/25)
Hull KR 10, Warrington 8 (SL-SF, 4/10/24)
Warrington 4, Hull KR 22 (SLR20, 2/8/24)
Warrington 20, Hull KR 8 (SLR11, 9/5/24)
Hull KR 20, Warrington 22 (SLR4, 7/3/24)
Warrington 21, Hull KR 14 (SLR12, 12/5/23)
Hull KR 10, Warrington 18 (SLR4, 10/3/23)
Warrington 22, Hull KR 30 (SLR20, 22/7/22)
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
2025 (FINAL) Hull KR 8 Warrington 6
(at Wembley Stadium)
2019 (Quarter Final) Hull KR 22 Warrington 28
2015 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 26 Warrington 18
(at Headingley Carnegie, Leeds)
2014 (Round 4) Hull KR 24 Warrington 28
2009 (Quarter Final) Hull KR 24 Warrington 25
(after golden point extra-time)
2007 (Round 4) Warrington 38 Hull KR 10
2006 (Quarter Final) Hull KR 40 Warrington 36
1989 (Quarter Final) Hull KR 4 Warrington 30
1980 (Quarter Final) Hull KR 23 Warrington 11
1950 (Round 1, Second Leg) Warrington 24 Hull KR 4
1950 (Round 1, First Leg) Hull KR 2 Warrington 12
1949 (Round 1, Second Leg) Hull KR 5 Warrington 28
1949 (Round 1, First Leg) Warrington 17 Hull KR 7
1932 (Round 1) Warrington 4 Hull KR 2
1928 (Round 2) Hull KR 0 Warrington 5
1913 (Round 2) Warrington 13 Hull KR 6
1912 (Round 2, Replay) Warrington 3 Hull KR 0
1912 (Round 2) Hull KR 3 Warrington 3
1905 (FINAL) Hull KR 0 Warrington 6
(at Headingley, Leeds)
Warrington Wolves vs Hull Kingston Rovers Betting Tips
Warrington Wolves to win - 15/8 @ Betfred
Warrington Wolves to win by 1-5 points - 15/2 @ Betfred
Albert Hopoate to score a try anytime - 7/4 @ Betfred
Matty Ashton to score a try anytime - 6/5 @ Betfred
Joe Burgess to score a try anytime - 8/11 @ Betfred
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- Daily draw prizes of £800 from a £1 stake
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First Try Scorer Rugby League Betting Odds @ Betfred
Here is a list of players that are capable of scoring the first try in their matches this weekend. Remember, if your selected player scores first and scores a second later on, you will get double the odds.
St Helens vs Wigan Warriors 1st Try Scorer Betting Tips
Owen Dagnall - 9/1
Jack Welsby - 16/1
Jai Field - 6/1
Zach Eckersley - 6/1
Warrington Wolves vs Hull Kingston Rovers 1st Try Scorer Betting Tips
Matty Ashton - 10/1 @ Betfred
Josh Thewlis - 11/1 @ Betfred
Joe Burgess - 7/1 @ Betfred
Tyrone May - 22/1 @ Betfred
Betfred Challenge Cup Betting Offers
Betfred is the principal sponsor of Super League and the Challenge Cup, so it makes sense that they are running a couple of special offers ahead of this weekend.
Below is the Betfred offers that will go hand in hand with the Challenge Cup. These will obviously change each week, but you can also check out the best
Super League betting sites.
Challenge Cup Price Boost
Wigan and St Helens continue their fierce rivalry with a place in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium up for grabs. Wigan's form has not been great, but they have players returning and others back in form, so many fancy the Cup Kings to move on to Wembley and move a step closer to claiming their 22nd Final success. Jai Field has scored three tries in his last three games against the Saints, and you can back him to score with Wigan -4.5 at odds of 7/2.
Wigan -4.5 & Jai Field to score a try - 7/2 @ Betfred
Where Can I Live Stream The Challenge Cup Semi-Finals?
Sky Sports is the main broadcaster for Super League and they promise to show every single game live each week. They will broadcast a main game on their TV channels, but if a game kicks off at the same time on the same day then it will be streamed on their Sky Sports + red button channel.
This weekend it is the Challenge Cup, so no games will be shown live on Sky Sports. Both matches will be shown live on the BBC. Saints versus Wigan will be on BBC One on Saturday, while Hull KR versus Warrington will be shown on BBC Two the following day. This means both matches will also be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer.
Once the Challenge Cup is over, you will be able to stream Super League matches online. Bet365 will be offering
live streaming on Super League games this season. Which ever games are not being shown on the Sky Sports main channel, then they will be streamed live at Bet365. There will be no commentary on the matches, but you will see the live pictures.
Bet365 Highlights
- New customer offer: £30 in free bets
- Promotional offers linked to specific sports
- Excellent football betting odds
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