Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: Wardle to do midweek wonders for champions?

A huge midweek Betfred Super League derby sees Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards finally play their rearranged fixture, one that could either send the champions back top of the table or propel Leigh closer to a play-off place (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Action). 

A sticky patch for the Warriors has allowed Hull Kingston Rovers and Warrington Wolves to stake their claims, but a crucial comeback win over Huddersfield Giants has got Matt Peet’s men moving again. Here are my Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards predictions, with a real cracker ahead.

Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards Odds

The champs are the bookies' pick for this one, with Betfred pricing them at 1/3 for the win in 80 minutes. You can get 5/2 on Leigh to record only a second ever Super League win over their rivals from across the borough. A draw in normal time is available at 18/1.

Team News

Wigan make just one change to their squad after surviving a scare to beat Huddersfield.

Young prop Sam Eseh drops out and it looks like he could have yet another new club. Having been recalled from his loan at Leeds Rhinos I’m told Eseh will now be heading over to play for Hull FC.

Eseh’s absence means a place in the squad for outside back Jacob Douglas. Wigan were also handed a huge boost this week when top tryscorer Liam Marshall signed a new four-year contract to stay at the club. 

Rugby League Odds

As for Leigh, their upward momentum continued with a tough win at Castleford Tigers and boss Adrian Lam again names a strong squad.

Crucially though, key forward Tom Amone is out, which could give Wigan the edge in the pack. Half-back Matt Moylan, though, is a welcome return to the squad.

Handicap 3-way: Wigan -8 @ 20/21

We were pretty much bang on in our reading of Leigh’s trip to Castleford last week. I had the Leopards to win by two to three scores, and they indeed prevailed by 10 points. Crucially though we were a little greedy on the handicap, as our -14 selection just misfired.

This game is a really tough one to call. Not least because it’s a derby, but also the really quick turnaround from the weekend is bound to mean some battered and bruised bodies, and potentially some squad rotation.

But this is too big a game for either side to risk wholesale changes. I can genuinely see Leigh springing a shock at Wigan but my gut instinct is that the champions will come through this sternest of tests.

Leigh have more form and momentum but I don’t buy into the argument that the Warriors are fading because of their early-season exertions - remember this game is rearranged from round two when Wigan were contesting the World Club Challenge. The alarm bells have been ringing because of the shock loss at Hull FC and heavy home humbling by Warrington, but Wigan will respond.

I’ve got Wigan to win - just, but am again going to push the boat out and look at the -8 handicap. The 20/21 odds imply a 51.2% probability of this one coming off.

Jake Wardle anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

There's some high praise going around for the centre right now, with both England captain George Williams and Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson lauding him as the best around.

Wardle is in terrific form, and crossed for a try in last week’s win over former club Huddersfield.

Anything above evens tempts me to back him again here.

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