York Knights vs Warrington Wolves Prediction: Don’t back against the Hull-conquering Knights

A fascinating match-up at the LNER Community Stadium on Friday night sees Warrington Wolves take their early 100-per-cent Betfred Super League record on the road to face surprise package York Knights (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports+).

Wire have won two games out of two - both at home, but travel to take on a newly-promoted side who have upset both Hull sides already in 2026. Can York do it again? Here are my York Knights vs Warrington Wolves predictions, as well as full team news and match odds from Betfred.

Team News

Warrington have played one fewer game than their rivals courtesy of Hull KR's involvement in the World Club Challenge, and Sam Burgess has been able to name an unchanged side so far for the wins over St Helens and Wakefield Trinity at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

That has meant a frustrating wait for England winger Matty Ashton, who is fit again after his ACL injury last year. It was said last week that Ashton was not included because of illness, but I've been told the player was actually fine - so make of that what you will.

Either way, Warrington are unchanged for a third game in a row, so Ashton's wait to return continues, with the two Joshes - Smith and Thewlis - continuing on the wings where both have scored tries.

As for York, boss Mark Applegarth is also able to name a relatively stable unit. There is just one change to the squad from last week's impressive victory in Hull, with Kieran Buchanan coming in to replace Myles Harrison.

Former NRL winger David Nofoaluma marked his debut with two tries and will look to impress on home soil for the first time. His first ever carry in the NRL, by the way, saw him run into Sam Burgess - the former South Sydney Rabbitoh who is now Warrington boss.

And look out too for imposing York prop Paul Vaughan, who has started the season impressively and will be keen for a huge game against his former employers.

York Knights vs Warrington Wolves Odds

The Knights would have to upset the odds to make it three wins from four to begin their first-ever Super League campaign. They're an 18/5 shot for the two competition points, while the Wire are 2/9. That implies an 81.8% probability of a Warrington triumph.

It's 18/1 for this one to go to golden-point extra-time, and in that context it is worth remembering that both York wins have come by a single point in tight contests.

The home side are given a 14.5-point start on the two-way handicap, with Wire 20/21 to overhaul the disadvantage and York 5/6 to keep it within the gap.

Handicap 3-way: York +16 @ 5/6

Warrington have impressed so far, winning two from two at home, and now head out on the road for the first time. What has impressed me perhaps more than their victories over St Helens and Wakefield was that both of those sides threatened fightbacks after half-time but the Wolves did not crack.

York, on the other hand, have already exceeded expectations with two wins from three - beating both Hull clubs by a single point either side of a Headingley humbling by a rampant Leeds. They won't be the only side to suffer at the hands of the Rhinos this year. York deserve huge credit for the way they have stepped up to the Betfred Super League, and without wanting to diminish their achievements so far I do think it is useful to examine those results in more detail.

Beating champions Hull KR was a famous win, but Rovers were preoccupied by their forthcoming showpiece games against Brisbane in the WCC and Leeds in Las Vegas. I genuinely think if this game had been played in a couple of months' time then the result would have been very different. And Hull FC are suffering some early-season turmoil and were there for the taking. But you still have to turn up and perform, and York have proved us wrong for backing against them.

So can they have a go at Warrington here? Why not. The small, raucous home crowd can be a huge weapon for the Knights at the LNER Community Stadium this season and Warrington may find this tough.

But I still think the Wolves will have enough to win. This is the first Super League meeting between the sides so there is little point studying previous clashes or formbook, and I will go purely on what I have seen from both sides so far in 2026.

I'm going for a Wire win but I'm not a huge fan of the 16-point handicap. It may be a little closer than that. Mind you, I said that for York's trip to Leeds and look what happened.

Albert Hopoate Anytime Tryscorer @ 1/1

There is plenty to go at in the tryscorers market this week, with value for both sides. Once again we are also running Super League Double Delight, so if your First Tryscorer selection scores and then scores again, you will get double the odds!

The star man of Warrington's season so far has been young full-back Cai Taylor-Wray. He has been stunning in both games, scoring in the win over Saints but not managing to cross when we backed him last week. He is 1/1 to score at York.

My other fancy for the visitors is Albert Hopoate, with the big centre also finding some fine early form as a Wire player. He has scored in both Super League games so far and I wouldn't bet against him making it three from three.

As for York, you'd be foolish to look beyond the in-form Nofoaluma at an enticing 6/4. He's a patchy player in my experience, so when he's on a run the tries will keep coming.

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