Super League Grand Final 2016: Back the Warriors over the Wolves

Raj Bains
08 October 2016

Wigan beat Wire to win the 2013 Grand Final, with Raj Bains backing them to do so again tonight

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Raj Bains is on hand to take us through all of the best bets and betting angles ahead of the 2016 Super League Grand Final tonight.

"Having been repeatedly criticised and talked down this year - including in the odds for this final - the motivation feels more visceral for the Warriors that it may be for the Wolves, so backing them to win against the odds feels like the best route to take."

Wigan Warriors to beat Warrington Wolves @ 6/5

Super League Grand Final 2016
Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors
Saturday 8th October, 18:00
Live on SkySports

Nothing quite beats Grand Final night, does it? The showpiece occasion in the domestic rugby league calendar, tonight is a celebration of all that's great about the sport, and the games rarely, if ever, disappoint. Even with injuries, players performing through pain and energy levels depleted after another gruelling season, both Warrington and Wigan have what it takes to put on an incredible show at Old Trafford, with each side looking to banish the memories of previous losses by getting their hands on the trophy tonight.

While it was Warrington who reached the Challenge Cup final and won the League Leader's Shield, there isn't too much between these two on paper, with each reaching their finest form at the right time towards the tail end of the campaign. Wire fans will know their side can boast the best attack and defence statistics in the entire competition, but Wigan are well aware of the determination their side have shown in the past few weeks, overcoming both Warrington and Hull away to set up their home tie in the play-off semi-finals.

Rightly, the odds favour a Warrington win, with the shield winners priced 5/6, compared to the somewhat long 6/5 on offer for a Wigan win. Given the relatively tight and nervous nature of Grand Finals in the past, it's fair to assume that this won't be won by a landslide score. With 9/5 on Warrington to win by 1-10pts available and 2/1 for the same result in Wigan's favour, the price bracket route is a fantastic way to get more from your money on an occasion such as this. In the try scoring markets, Stefan Ratchford (13/5), Kevin Penny (6/5) and Tom Lineham (6/5) are all worth backing anytime for Warrington, while Wigan will be hoping Josh Charnley (11/10), Anthony Gelling (9/5) and John Bateman (5/2) will be able to find the line in their favour.

While the odds favour Warrington, it's hard to shake the feeling that Wigan will find a way to get over the line again when it matters this season. Having beaten both Hull and Warrington in the final weeks of the Super8s before dispatching of the Challenge Cup holders in the play-offs, this Wigan side has a resilience and belief that few had expected. Even with star man Sam Tomkins missing, that doesn't appear to have effected them all too badly, with their willingness to work for each other and do what's necessary one of their best features. The likes of John Bateman, Dan Sarginson, Josh Charnley and George Williams have what it takes to break a game wide open when needed.

The favourites, meanwhile, have essentially played in two finals already this year, having lost out to Hull in the dying moments at Wembley before avenging that defeat in the final game of the Super8s to secure top spot. Although named in the squad, we're still unsure of just how fit halfback Chris Sandow is, and whether or not Declan Patton will remain in the side after an impressive run in recent weeks. Also missing are the likes of Ben Westwood and Ben Currie, both of whom have made a habit of being there in big games when needed the most. Having lost on all of their previous appearances at Old Trafford and still yet to win the biggest prize on offer in the Super League era, Wire have an almighty chip on their shoulder to draw from, and a coach who's been there and done it before twice with Leeds.

It'd be nice to see new hands on the trophy, but for all of their merits, this Wigan side seem determined in a way that wasn't always evident earlier on in the season. With the majority of the squad who narrowly missed out last season to Leeds still at the club, this Wigan side know how to play the big occasions and come up with the goods, especially with a man as single-minded as Shaun Wane in charge. Having been repeatedly criticised and talked down this year - including in the odds for this final - the motivation feels more visceral for the Warriors that it may be for the Wolves, so backing them to win against the odds feels like the best route to take.