St Helens vs Wakefield Trinity Prediction: Saints to take ‘great opportunity’

St Helens look to bounce back from the disappointment of getting knocked out of the Betfred Challenge Cup last weekend when Wakefield Trinity visit the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday night (20:00, live on Sky Sports +).

Betfred ambassador Paul Sculthorpe discusses his beloved Saints' recent form and shares his St Helens vs Wakefield Trinity prediction.

It was a proper old-school rugby league afternoon at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday with a full house, stunning weather and two rivals going at each other.

Unfortunately for Saints, it was Warrington who came out on top, winning 20-12 and booking their place in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final where they will face Leigh Leopards.

The Wire faithful didn’t hold back on the chants either, claiming Saints are falling apart. Sadly, this was literally the case, as more injuries and HIA's saw Percival, Wingfield and Sironen leave the field.

However, with absence of Harry Robertson, it meant Saints played large parts of the game with two back-rowers in the centre, along with multiple front-rowers in the pack. For a team already struggling in attack, this certainly didn’t help in regard to scoring points.

The lack of pace on the edges also caused a few problems defensively. Matty Ashton twice broke from his own half, but some world-class play from Jack Welsby on both occasions kept Saints in the game. We weren’t so fortunate when George Williams rounded the opposing left-edge defence to cruise home and score the final and decisive try.

There wasn’t a lot between the two sides over the 80 minutes, but yet again I thought the creativity and kicking skills of Marc Sneyd and George Williams was the difference.

Saints really do need to improve their attacking threat. Too many times we’ve been our own worst enemy with poor skill and execution, which is something that desperately needs to improve if they are to challenge for the remaining pieces of silverware.

Hull KR, who remain undefeated this year, were favourites for Wembley glory before the quarter-finals and there's been no change in the betting after they put city rivals Hull FC to the sword. They face Catalans in the other semi.

They are 13/10 to lift the Challenge Cup with title sponsors Betfred and I couldn't put anyone off.

Attention switches back to the Betfred Super League this week - and for Saints the immediate focus is a home tie against Wakefield on Friday.

Paul Wellens' team have a great opportunity to make some ground on the league table, as the other four in the top five play each other - Hull KR and Warrington hosting Wigan and Hull FC respectively.

Any game against Trinity will be tough. Daryl Powell’s team have won three of their opening six fixtures since their return to the top flight and have certainly surprised a few.

A club that has massively invested both on and off the field, it’s been great to see them genuinely competing so far this season. With Saints' injury list, they'll surely fancy their chances.

That being said, I’m backing Saints - one of the clubs to have taken points off Wakey already this year - to respond on Sunday. I’m going for a home win by 13 points or more.

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