Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors Prediction: Champs to cash in against weakened Warriors

A Betfred Challenge Cup final dress rehearsal in name only kicks off the latest round of Betfred Super League action on Thursday night (8pm, Sky Sports+), as Wigan Warriors send a much-changed squad to Hull KR with senior stars grabbing a rest ahead of next weekend's Wembley showpiece between the two sides.

Warriors head coach Matt Peet has named what looks like his academy team for the trip to play the champions, and a huge home win is on the cards at Sewell Group Craven Park. Here are my Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors prediction, along with Betfred's match odds and that contentious team news.

Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors Odds

The quadruple champions are 1/50 for the win against the weakened Warriors, with Wigan 20/1 and the draw at 28/1.

Team News

Victory over in-form Leeds last week was a big one for Wigan, but this week's team selection is eyebrow-raising to say the least.

A massive 10 changes are made to the initial 21-man squad, including 12 of the 21 who played in Wigan's Academy Grand Final win of 2024 and a potential nine senior debuts.

Rovers, on the other hand, have gone strong.

Peet's heavily-rotated squad sees rests for the likes of full-back Jai Field, starting centres Jake Wardle, Adam Keighran, half-back Harry Smith and forwards Ollie Partington, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis, Luke Thompson, Brad O'Neill and Ethan Havard.

Youngsters Nathan Lowe, George O'Loughlin, Finn McMillan, Finlay Yeomans, Charlie Yeomans, Josh Cartwright, Austin Daniel, Shea O'Connor and Kalum Rathbone are all included.

It is probably easier just to name the first-teamers who retain their places: Junior Nsemba, Zach Eckersley, Jack Farrimond, Patrick Mago, Tom Forber and Sam Eseh.

The Robins are without the unfortunate Arthur Mourgue, with the French full-back making his return from a pec injury last week at Leigh only to aggravate the issue and is set for another absence. Winger Joe Burgess also drops out, and so does Jack Charles.

The men to come in are Ryan Hampshire, Harvey Horne and Jordan Dezaria.

Rugby League Odds

Handicap 2-way Hull KR -29.5 @ 4/5

Given the respective squad selections, there seems little point doing our usual studying of form, head-to-heads and match history. Rovers are pretty much full-strength against what is pretty much a Wigan academy side.

The Warriors have prioritised next weekend's attempt to wrestle the famous trophy back from their rivals, while KR clearly believe maintaining momentum all the way to Wembley is the best way to retain their trophy.

So this one will be a home win and one that will continue the Robins' ascent up the Betfred Super League table. Lying just two points behind Leeds and Warrington, a decent victory will also send Rovers up to second on points difference - a 16-point win would do it.

It's eight wins on the spin in all competitions now for the defending champs and this will be number nine. The only question is by how many - and they will hope too for no injuries ahead of the trip to London next week.

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights