Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards Prediction: Smith and Wire to fire again in cup shoot-out

Warrington host Leigh for the second Saturday in a row at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, but this time for the Wolves and Leopards there is a Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final place at stake (17:30 BST, SuperLeague+).

The Wire earned a crushing 42-6 win last weekend but Leigh are starting to get some injured stars back, so can they spark their season into life in the cup quarter-final? Here are my Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards predictions, the latest team news and match odds from Betfred.

Team News

Both sides welcome back some key figures this weekend, with Warrington having in-form forward Kelepi Tanginoa and full-back Cai Taylor-Wray both back in the mix after short-term injuries.

Tanginoa missed out last week with a groin issue he suffered in the defeat at Leeds, while Taylor-Wray has missed the last few weeks with a minor problem that has seen winger Josh Thewlis thrive in his absence. That certainly gives boss Sam Burgess a selection headache this weekend, and it could be that Taylor-Wray is given another week off.

Warrington recalled scrum-half Marc Sneyd last week and he excelled in the spot recently seized by youngster Ewan Irwin, so that is another fascinating selection call.

In total there are three changes for the Wolves, as youngster Tommy Rhodes joins Tanginoa and Taylor-Wray in the squad. The three to drop out are Jordy Crowther and youngsters Ewan Smith and Lachlan Webster.

As for the Leopards, some key men could return but I sense there will be a number of fitness tests taking place towards the end of the week. Those players named in the squad after injuries include Dream Team centre Umyla Hanley, who has had a frustrating start to 2026, influential hooker Edwin Ipape and outside back AJ Towse.

The three men to drop out are Frankie Halton, who failed his Head Injury Assessment last week, young debutant Will Brough and Keenan Brand, who picked up an injury seven days ago.

Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards Odds

Handicap 3-way Alt 2: Warrington -14 @ 6/4

Warrington's win over Leigh last weekend saw both of our selections land, with the Wolves comfortably beating the 10-point handicap and the in-form Josh Smith running in a 1/1 anytime try just two minutes into the contest.

The way that game played out won't give Leopards fans much room for optimism this weekend, but if any of their three returning stars make the matchday 17 then that will give them a huge boost.

The absences of Ipape and Hanley in particular have been key factors in the surprise toils of Leigh this year, as they sit second-bottom of Super League yet are just two games away from Wembley in the cup. So what a chance this is to ignite the season for Adrian Lam's men.

It will take some doing, though. This is a very good Warrington side with a depth in each position that we have not seen for a while. The halves and outside backs are looking razor sharp and I still fear for Leigh even with their injured players starting to return.

I don't think we will see a repeat of last week's mauling but I have Warrington to win and move to within 80 minutes of Wembley.

The handicap is 10 and I think the Wolves will beat that. This is a Warrington side that just looks like it means business.

Josh Smith Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/5

We'll stick with the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach with our second selection this week and back the dangerous Josh Smith once again to cross for a try in 80 minutes.

With five tries in his last four games, Smith obliged for us at 1/1 last week. And with Leigh anticipated to field a stronger side, that is reflected in Smith's odds lengthening to 6/5, which I am happy to take.

England winger Matty Ashton has shown no rust since his lengthy ACL injury lay-off and is the game's most likely tryscorer at 4/6.

Leigh's only try last week came from Adam Cook, who is 11/2 to cross again this weekend. Veteran winger Josh Charnley could not have come closer to scoring and is 5/4 to do so this week.

But my money is on Smith to maintain his fine form as Warrington progress to the last four.