Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR Prediction: Burgess to cross as Rovers head for Wembley again

Sunday's second Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final sees Warrington Wolves play Hull KR in a repeat of last year's epic Wembley showpiece (16:00 BST, Live on BBC Two).

Both sides are in great form heading to Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium, but can the Wolves avenge their heartbreaking defeat of 12 months ago? Here are my Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR predictions, the latest match odds from Betfred and full team news.

Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR Odds

Rovers are the 1/2 favourites to win in normal time, with the Wire 15/8 to gain revenge. The draw in 80 minutes is a relatively-narrow 12/1, while the two-way handicap sees the holders give up a 6.5-point start.

Team News

Both teams have had positive injury news this week as head coaches Sam Burgess and Willie Peters announced their 21-man squads for Sunday's do-or-die cup encounter.

Warrington have been beaten finalists in the past two seasons and know they need their biggest performance of the year so far to make it back to the national stadium.

The Wolves have winger Josh Thewlis back after he missed last weekend's win over Huddersfield. Prop Luke Yates is also a welcome inclusion after sitting out the last three through injury.

Youngster Lachlan Webster filled in at full-back last week in the absence of both Thewlis and Cai Taylor-Wray. Josh Smith and Toff Sipley returned from injury last week and reported no fresh concerns so they are fit to go again. Josh's brother Jake is the unfortunate man to drop out of the squad this week.

The big absentee, of course, is England captain George Williams in the halves - can the Wolves reach Wembley without their talisman? Much of that responsibility will rest on the shoulders of former Hull FC man Marc Sneyd.

Hull KR have concerns over key forward Dean Hadley, who wasn't risked in the second half of their huge Super League win over Castleford with muscle tightness. I'm told this was mainly as a precaution and Hadley is keen to play this week having been included in the squad.

There are two changes from the 50-6 win over Cas, with Bill Leyland back from his latest loan at St Helens and star French full-back Arthur Mourgue named for the first time since the World Club Challenge at the start of the season following pec surgery. I am not expecting Mourgue to play but his inclusion is great news for the club.

Jordan Dezaria is missing through injury but it is otherwise pretty much full strength for Rovers.

Rugby League Odds

Hull KR 1-12 points @ 2/1

Thankfully I will be fully absorbed in both semi-finals this weekend, but if I was only allowed to go to one then this is the fixture that whets my whistle. These are two of the most watchable sides in the game and could serve us up a classic.

Last year's final appeared to be Warrington's before that 78th-minute Tom Davies try earned the narrowest of Robins wins and that will not have been forgotten heading into this tie with so many of the same players involved.

These tend to be tight games, despite how expansive both teams like to be. Last year's final finished 8-6. The most recent Super League meeting came at the end of last season too, with Rovers winning that one by eight. In fact, Warrington's last win over KR was almost exactly two years ago on May 9, 2024 - there have been five straight Robins wins since.

The great thing about these one-off cup ties is that the players are so fired up that recent form really doesn't have much of an impact. But we might as well have a look at it.

This is third versus fourth in Super League, with the Wire two points better off. The stats from the last half-a-dozen games show two form sides but paint a stark picture in the Robins' favour.

Warrington have won four of their last six games, scoring 167 and conceding 90 across that period.

Rovers have won six on the spin, scoring 268 and conceding just 44.

This is a Hull KR team running hot. I really like watching both of these teams, managed by two of the best young coaches in the business. But I cannot see Rovers being stopped right now.

Their slow start to the season was nothing more than the traditional lethargy that surrounds Las Vegas and World Club Challenge distractions. Now the gears are starting to be oiled. Don't get me wrong, Warrington can win this game. But I just sense that the continued absence of Williams, against one of the sharpest half-back pairings around in Tyrone May and Mikey Lewis, means this will be Rovers' day again.

Hull KR -1.5 & Joe Burgess To Score A Try @ 29/20

We are running Challenge Cup Double Delight in this fixture, so if your First Tryscorer selection scores the opening try and goes on to score again we will double your price.

Good options here would be Rovers' flying wingers Joe Burgess and Tom Davies. A 7/1 Burgess first try would return you 14/1 odds if he goes on to grab another - and considering how many points KR have been scoring this might be worth a look. It's 29/20 for him to be an anytime scorer in a Rovers win of at least two, and that's my second pick, but there are other options worthy of perusal.

Assuming Mourgue is not risked, then I like Jack Broadbent at 7/4 to score anytime if he retains the full-back slot, while for Warrington Matty Ashton at 6/5 or Josh Smith (9/4) to score anytime would be my picks.

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights