Warrington Wolves vs St Helens Prediction: Scully backing Saints to start with a bang

It seems to have been a long time coming, but tonight sees the start of the 2026 Betfred Super League season!

The opening fixture between Super League new boys York Knights and current champions Hull KR, kicks off the 30th season of the full-time era. I still can’t believe I played in the first… how time flies when you’re having fun!

It is also the 10th anniversary of Betfred’s wonderful partnership within the sport.

Betfred have really embraced our great game, not only giving significant financial support, but their passion and drive has been a huge asset to the sport. A huge thanks to Fred, Mark Pearson, Steve Jones and the wider BF team for their invaluable support. Long may it continue…

Right, down to business - and it’s certainly a different looking Saints heading into the new season.

Former Salford boss Paul Rowley takes over at the helm, and it’s fair to say there has been some significant investment into the Saints playing squad in the off-season, something I feel hasn’t been the case in the past few years.

Some big signings, including former Kangaroo David Klemmer and for his second stint in the Betfred Super League, Jackson Hastings, are probably the two that stand out. Add to that, Nene MacDonald teams up will his former coach, and adds some much needed size and strike to the three-quarter line.

Jacob Host, Joe Shorrocks and fellow Oldhamer Jacob Douglas make up the pre-season recruits.

Speaking to Rowls and a few of the lads, there is a definite buzz about the club. Also a hunger to lift silverware again!

I personally think this is a genuine possibility too. The obvious candidates - Wigan, Warrington and 2025 treble winners Hull KR will have their own ambitions, but I truly believe this Saints squad can excel.

Anyone who knows me, knows my respect and admiration for Paul Wellens both as a person and coach, and it’s great to see Wello in his new role in the NRL with the Queensland Cowboys.

But, now with Paul Rowley in charge it’s a new era, where players have to earn their stripes with their efforts out on the training field, and more importantly on a Friday evening. Reputations count for nothing.

If Paul can get the best out of Hastings, a previous Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel winner, and Jack Welsby who by his own previous standards had a disappointing 2025 season, along with continuing the development of exciting young stars like Harry Robertson and Owen Dagnall, we should certainly be competing at the very top.

One huge disappointment going into the season launch, is the loss of new skipper Matty Lees who picked up an MCL knee injury in the Betfred Challenge Cup 98-2 demolition of Workington last Friday.

Matty, who is also celebrating his testimonial year at the club, will hopefully be back for the start of April having been told he doesn’t require surgery.

So, it’s a huge fixture to kick things off as the Saints travel across the M62 to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to face Sam Burgess’s Warrington on Friday night.

The Wolves, who themselves will have ambitions of trophies this year, have a number of new faces, including former Wigan prop Liam Byrne, Hull KR powerhouse Kelepi Tanginoa and former Saint James Bentley.

The Warrington Wolves vs St Helens Odds with Betfred currently have the hosts as 5/6 favourites, Saints are 21/20 and the draw is 16/1.

However, I’m equally intrigued to see the addition of former Catalan and England coach Steve McNamara to Sam’s coaching team. There’s no denying Warrington’s quality on paper in recent years, but this hasn’t converted into success when it mattered. Can Steve’s experience and influence change this in 2026?

I’m sure we are set for a ding dong opener anyway, and I for one can’t wait!

I’ve got to back the new look RedV to start with a bang, and will go for Saints to win by four or more (6/4) with title sponsors Betfred.

May battle commence!