Warrington Wolves vs London Broncos Predictions: Williams and Wire to end regular season well

On Friday, the Halliwell Jones Stadium hosts a game of potentially more significance than the Betfred Super League table might tell you, with Warrington Wolves wanting to build up a head of steam going into the play-offs and London Broncos hoping to ensure that Hull FC finish bottom of the pile (kick-off 20:00 BST, Sky Sports+).

The Broncos may be fighting a losing battle with the game's rule-setters IMG, but a decent showing in Warrington against the third-placed Wolves would be the best possible way to end a season of so much spirit. My Warrington Wolves vs London Broncos predictions suggest it won't be a walkover.

Warrington Wolves vs London Broncos Odds

This isn't quite the same scenario as Wigan Warriors' massive favouritism against a massively-weakened Salford Red Devils on Thursday night, but it's not far off. Warrington are 1/50 to win on Friday, with London 12/1, which implies a 7.7% chance of the Broncos causing an upset. It's 28/1 for the scores to be level after 80 minutes.

Team News

Sam Burgess has star full-back Matt Dufty and the versatile Stefan Ratchford back for the visit of the Broncos.

Dufty was named in the squad last week but didn't play, and has been out injured since scoring a hat-trick against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road on Magic Weekend. Ratchford returns after the most gruesome injury of his career at St Helens in the summer.

The former England international suffered 11 facial fractures that left him unable to sleep or consume solid food, but, such is rugby league, he makes a swift return to action.

Ratchford's return is the only change to the initial squad, with centre Rodrick Tai the man to make way. Tai has what Burgess calls a "minor ankle injury" so had this been a play-off game he would have probably played.

Still unavailable are Paul Vaughan through suspension and the injured Lachlan Fitzgibbon.

Rugby League Odds

Having kept his squad unchanged for the past two weekends, London head coach Mike Eccles finally makes once alteration for the season - and most likely Super League - finale in Warrington.

Key man Sam Davis has picked up a calf injury so will not make the trip, with Dan Hoyes recalled to the 21-man squad in his place.

The Broncos are still without several first-choice players in Dean Parata, Bill Leyland, Alex Walker, Matt Davies, Jordan Williams and Jack Hughes.

Handicap 3-way: London +30 @ 20/21

Warrington will win this game but I fancy London to sign off from Super League with a gutsy display that could keep them within the handicap.

With rugby league being largely governed off the field these days, the Broncos' days appear numbered even if they finish ahead of rock-bottom Hull FC, whose performances this year would fully merit a relegation.

London only lost by four points in the notoriously difficult Stade Gilbert Brutus last week, having been beaten by eight at Huddersfield Giants and a single golden point by Leeds in the last three matches.

In fact, London have not been beaten by more than 30 points since a wretched month of June that saw a 36-0 loss at Wigan, a 52-6 humbling by St Helens and a 34-4 reverse at Salford.

So if you like your stats and spreadsheets, London to stay within the 30-point handicap is definitely the selection.

Add to that the possibility of Warrington resting one or two ahead of the play-offs given they are set to finish third regardless, and I can't see any value in going after the Wolves in this one.

George Williams Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/5

I went for Williams last week, and as he has done several times this year he justified my backing with a 5/4 anytime try in a walloping win at Huddersfield.

The England captain is always a safe bet in a confident, winning team, such are the amount of times he has the ball in his hands in the final quarter of the pitch.

I'm taking Warrington to finish with a flourish and for their playmaker to be at the heart of that again, so I see no reason to change a winning formula.

Warrington and Williams for the win.

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