Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR Predictions: Marshall’s last laugh worth 8/1

Not since the mid-1980s has Wigan v Hull Kingston Rovers fallen into ‘biggest game of the season’ territory, but the Warriors host the Robins at the Brick on Friday night with the Betfred Super League’s League Leaders’ Shield on the line (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports+ HD).

Rovers have the edge at the top on points difference with just three games to play, but they face their toughest challenge yet as they look to break a 20-year drought of new Grand Final winners. You’ll see from my Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR predictions that I’m expecting a very close encounter.

Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR Odds

They might be coming into this one marginally behind the visitors on the ladder, but Wigan are the bookies’ favourites. The Warriors are 1/2 to win on Friday and regain the lead at the top of the Betfred Super League.

Rovers can be backed at 7/4 to get the two points which would leave them potentially within a single win of securing the League Leaders’ Shield and a first piece of major silverware for 39 years.

You can get 16/1 for the draw and an extra helping of drama in extra-time.

Team News

The big news for Wigan boss Matt Peet is the return from suspension of Harry Smith at scrum-half. The England man was banned for three games after being found guilty of striking against Leeds Rhinos in August.

The Warriors also welcome back club skipper Liam Farrell, who has recovered from a calf injury which kept him out of the victories over Hull FC and Catalans Dragons over recent weeks.

Youngsters Kian McDermott and Jacob Douglas make way for the star duo.

Rugby League Odds

Rovers name Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess among their 21-player squad after both missed the 32-12 win over Salford Red Devils in Round 24.

Gildart was also an absentee against St Helens after receiving a knock to the head at Magic Weekend against Catalans, while Burgess was a late withdrawal last week on the back of his four-try performance at Langtree Park six days prior.

Willie Peters is likely to name both in his 17, with Tom Opacic and Jack Broadbent the most probable players to step aside despite both getting on the scoresheet against Salford.

Liam Marshall last tryscorer @ 8/1

I’m trying to think smartly about this one to increase the value.

Rather than going for an anytime tryscorer bet, I think the likelihood of this being a low-scoring clash tips us towards the first and last tryscorer markets. After all, if we only think there are going to be two or three tries in total, why would we take the 1/1 for anytime when there’s a good chance a score would fall into the more generous markets.

And in Liam Marshall, Wigan have somebody who just loves scoring against the Robins. The wing wizard has crossed 25 times in 18 career appearances against KR, including a four-try haul and three other hat-tricks.

In those 18 games, he has only failed to score five times – and two of them have come this season. I just can’t see him going a whole year without scoring against a Rovers side he normally loves to haunt. And it is when the visitors finally get a bit stretched late on that I can see Marshall crossing.

Betfred are offering their Rugby League Double Delight, whereby if your first tryscorer pick is a winner and that player goes on to score another later on, you’ll get double the price. Tempting though that is, I see Marshall being a force later rather than earlier.

Double Result Hull KR-Wigan @ 7/1

If there’s one accusation to make against a Rovers outfit who have stunned many on their way to the top of the league, it is that they have turned in very few 80-minute performances.

Only really in their back-to-back home wins against Wigan and St Helens, and then away to Warrington Wolves last month, have they truly been at full gas throughout. Otherwise there have been plenty of occasions when they have started well but not being able to back up after the first 40.

So I fancy the look of the double result market. There’s every chance Rovers could get off to a good start but be gradually reeled in by the world champions, and with Betfred offering 7/1 I find that a tempting price.

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Betfred Super League game on Friday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on any Betfred Super League game on Saturday.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.