Wigan Warriors vs London Broncos Predictions: Bottom side provide the value in cakewalk

Wigan Warriors’ grip on every domestic honour is only going to look firmer after the visit on Friday of a London Broncos side propping up the Betfred Super League and favourites to stay there for the rest of the season (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Arena).

The Warriors may even rest a few players for a fixture from which only a resounding home win feels likely.

Wigan Warriors vs London Broncos Odds

Wigan are such a clear shot to win this one that there's no betting market available on them for the straight win. You can get 28/1 on London Broncos winning, with the draw priced at 100/1.

Team News

Wigan have won four Super League games and a Betfred Challenge Cup final since their last home match, and have named a strong initial squad for the visit of Super League’s whipping boys.

Star full-back Jai Field is out injured, however, and is likely to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, while prop Tyler Dupree and centre Adam Keighran serve the final game of their three-match bans. Young hooker Tom Forner is also injured.

Lance Todd Trophy winner Bevan French moved to full-back for the narrow win over Castleford Tigers last week and is likely to stay there, with rising star Jack Farrimond tipped to partner Harry Smith in the halves.

The Broncos travel north without Italy international Ethan Natoli and forward Rhys Kennedy, who both serve one-match bans.

Handicap 3-way: London Broncos +42 @ 10/11

In truth I give London absolutely no chance in this fixture but the value does appear to be in the handicap, where the Broncos can give us a decent return if they play with the kind of spirit demanded from his players by head coach Mike Eccles.

Although Wigan’s squad is strong, I do expect boss Matt Peet to name a couple of youngsters in his side which could give London half a chance of keeping it competitive.

This should be an absolute walloping, with the corresponding fixture in the capital in March seeing the Warriors run out 60-22 winners. I can’t see London scoring that many points this time, but neither may Wigan, so I’m leaning towards around a 40-point home win on the handicap.

For that shout to have a chance of coming in then London need to start well. If not, this could be incredibly ugly.

Junior Nsemba anytime Try Scorer @ 6/5

Games like these in which the home team is expected to amass a large amount of points represent the perfect opportunity to take a punt on an unlikely anytime tryscorer. When else would you do that? This would be the perfect opportunity to return to backing my favourite try-scoring prop Tyler Dupree who has brought great returns for us this season, but alas he is completing a three-match ban.

But let’s stay in the pack and go with rising star Junior Nsemba, who I believe will be a big star of British rugby league for years to come. Nsemba is unlikely to be a rotation risk for this fixture given he was allowed a rest last week at Castleford, so I expect the youngster to both start and score. In the run-up to the Challenge Cup final Nsemba scored three tries in three games against Warrington Wolves, Salford Red Devils and in the semi-final win over Hull KR. You can’t ignore that kind of scoring form against the leakiest defence in the league.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.