Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: Warriors to book Old Trafford berth

Defending champions Wigan are hot favourites to make it back to Old Trafford for a chance to retain their Betfred Super League crown, but in local rivals Leigh they come up against a dangerous in-form opponent well capable of an upset (kick-off 17:30).

The Leopards have responded to a slow start to the season by hitting top gear at just the right time, but have they got what it takes to go to Wigan and knock the Warriors out in front of what should be the biggest playoff crowd in 20 years? Here are my Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards predictions.

Rugby League Odds

Team News

Wigan name an unchanged squad for the fourth meeting between these two rivals in 2024 and will be well rested after top spot earned the Warriors a week off last week.

The starting line-up is likely to be different than that which walloped Salford's reserves 64-0 a couple of weeks ago however, with Abbas Miski expected to come back in on the wing in place of young Zach Eckersley

The big team news for the Leopards is the absence of their top try scorer and former Wigan winger Josh Charnley. Both Charnley and Ireland international forward Frankie Halton miss out after head contacts, and must observe head injury protocols.

Charnley's absence could either see Umyla Hanley move back to the wing from the centre position that he has made his own, or Darnell McIntosh could come in.

Halton's early injury at Salford saw Zak Hardaker given an extended spell off the bench and is another option open to boss Adrian Lam this week against his former club.

Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards Odds

Wigan are red-hot favourites at 2/9, while Leigh are 18/5 to cause an upset and the draw is 20/1.

Wigan Warriors 11-15 points @ 11/2

Leigh have won seven of their eight matches since a 28-6 defeat at Wigan in August, and they are a far better side than they were then. But for Lam's men to spring a shock here they need absolutely everything to go their way.

The Leopards pack has to better the Warriors pack, and not many manage that. Leigh must find a way to silence Bevan French and Jai Field, and very few manage to subdue both of these superstars in the same match. The visitors must execute a perfect sliding defence for 80 minutes to minimise opportunities for top try scorer Liam Marshall and Abbas Miski or Zach Eckersley out wide.

They have to win the kicking game in the middle third, and they must execute every single chance they create. Sounds a tough ask doesn't it? Tough, but not impossible.

Leigh showed patience and resilience to overturn a half-time deficit at Salford last week to win through three tries to one. They will need to be similarly robust in this one and can expect to fall behind in the game.

I have this to be the tightest contest between the two sides this season. Wigan have won all three with relative ease so far, with victory margins of 22, 18 and 28 points.

Let's be honest, if Wigan fly out of the blocks and score early we could be looking at a scoreline in this ballpark. But my gut feeling is that it will be a feisty one, and the odd big call could just keep the Leopards hungry for long enough to have a shot.

Wigan have won their last 15 home meetings with Leigh and looking at their squad, and trophy cabinet, I expect that to be 16. But the value here could still be either with Leigh on the handicap, if like me you are expecting a blood and thunder local playoff derby, or be a correct margin of victory punt. I have Wigan down to win by three scores.

Bevan French and Edwin Ipape to score a try anytime @ 10/1

Two of the most dangerous strike players on the pitch, and you can get 10/1 for them both to score. Bevan French has been brilliant since his return from injury and is just three tries short of 100 in a Wigan shirt, in only 113 appearances.

While it would appear a tall order for that milestone to be reached in this one, it seems a fair shout to expect French to reach 98 or 99.

As for Leigh's talisman Ipape, the hooker is key to their chances of winning this game. With deceptive pace and an eye for a clean break that not many other number nines possess, Ipape is a danger all over the pitch.

He scored in the win at Salford last week that ended the Red Devils' season in front of a record home crowd, and he will make sure he is in position to add to his tally in this semi-final.

Double Delight Saturday: Place a Pre-Match First Tryscorer bet on Wigan v Leigh on Saturday and if they score the first try and then score again, we’ll double their odds!

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