Catalan Dragons v Warrington Wolves – Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final Betting

Wembley becoming a home from home for the Wolves

Rugby Betting

It’s only two weeks since WARRINGTON WOLVES racked up a 50-point winning margin over the CATALAN DRAGONS in Super League so you can’t blame bookmakers for making The Wire strong favourites to win this Saturday’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – Steve Price’s team are a best 8/15 in the Match Betting with Betway.

Les Dracs have just finished eighth in the regular season, four places and eight points behind Warrington. However, that will be deemed a success for the Dragons as it means that they don’t have to go through the qualifiers to ensure their place next year in Super League.

Warrington have won the Challenge Cup eight times with three of those Wembley victories coming in the last eight years. The Perpignan-based French side have become a regular fixture in Super League but have never threatened to reach a Grand Final. Their only previous appearance in the Challenge Cup Final came in 2007, when they lost to St Helens.

The Dragons have only won one of their last four matches but Steve McNamara has been rotating his squad since they shocked St Helens in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup at Bolton. They are accustomed to being underdogs so being in that position against the Wolves won’t faze Catalan, who have been boosted by the news that New Zealander Kenny Edwards has escaped significant punishment for throwing the ball into the crowd during their semi-final win. However, Australian Greg Bird is suspended and he will be a big loss.

Warrington also rested players last week and were beaten at Castleford having failed to get going until too late. They also picked up injuries in that game and Mitch Brown may not recover in time to pay at Wembley. There is also a doubt over Ben Pomeroy, Ryan Atkins still isn’t fit  and forward Sita Akauola is facing a ban so will also miss out. However, even a near full-strength Warrington would probably have too much for Catalan. They were ruthless in their semi-final defeat of the Leeds Rhinos and have history on their side. Their fans will also heavily outnumber those of the Dragons at Wembley and many are still hurting following a narrow defeat by Hull FC in the 2016 final.

Warrington to win by more than 13 points in the Winning Margin market is 15/8 with Betway. The Wolves’ Australian half-back Tyrone Roberts will be in the thick of the action throughout and he’s a leading contender at a general 10/1 to be Man Of The Match if his team end up with the trophy.