Super League Super8s Betting: Back Warrington, Castleford and Saints to win

Raj Bains
16 September 2016

Warrington last won the League Leaders' Shield in 2011, back when forward Adrian Morley was captain

Join

View market

Twitter

Facebook

With the League Leaders' Shield on the line on Friday Round Six of the Super8s could prove pivotal. Previewing the best bets, Raj Bains is on hand...

"It might not be the most convincing win in the world, but playing with the determination that they are at present, it’s hard to see past Warrington getting the job done tonight."

Warrington Wolves to beat Wigan Warriors by 1-10pts @ 7/4

It's remarkable, really, that for two seasons running there have been a handful of teams still in the hunt for top spot this late in the day, but that could be a quirk of the new structure we're just not entirely used to, as yet.

Warrington, Wigan, Hull and Saints have all got hopes of getting their hands on the League Leaders' Shield, but only Wire have the chance to tie it up this round, with a win against Wigan tonight enough to send them mathematically out of reach.

Hull, still chasing Warrington, have already overcome a tough away task in Wakefield, with the home side somewhat aggrieved over a no-try decision by the video referee that could've tipped the game in to their favour. In an eerie repeat of last season, we could have a situation play-out, should Warrington lose, where four teams are again all playing for top spot in the final fixture, with the RFL likely to be firing up the helicopter to deliver the shield on the night should it come down to that.

With so much left to play for, here are the best bets across Round Six of the Super8s.

Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors
Friday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 2

Since their loss in the Challenge Cup final, Warrington have come back with a renewed sense of purpose, seemingly more determined than ever to secure some form of silverware for the season. Having been the best side to watch across the regular rounds, both scoring the most points and conceding the least, few could begrudge them top spot. That said, however, Wigan won't be coming intent on anything less than spoiling the party, with the away side stringing together a run of good performances in the weeks leading up to this deciding match.

Warrington have had a slight mental block in big matches this season, and all of the pressure will be on them to get over the line and seal top spot this evening, which could play on their minds in the early exchanges. The more nerves the have, the more errors they'll make, and the Warriors aren't in the habit of letting field position go unpunished. Even though they'll be missing a couple of players, Wigan will still be able to play with the freedom of knowing that they're not the side burdened by the finish line being in touching distance, and that could create a fascinating match.

Likely to be tense, slow and scrappy to start off, it's up to the home side to impress themselves on the occasion if they want to win it, and that's made slightly easier by being at home. Wigan are a physical, well organised side, but lack the dynamism that Wire have in the halves, and that could be the difference. It might not be the most convincing win in the world, but playing with the determination that they are at present, it's hard to see past Warrington getting the job done tonight.

Catalan Dragons vs Castleford Tigers
Saturday, 17:00
Live on Sky Sports 3

Sadly, neither of these sides have anything on the line other than pride, but as we saw with Wakefield last night, sometimes that's not such a bad thing. Catalan have already started shaping their squad for next season with players announcing the end of contracts and rumours persisting about the likes of Zak Hardaker being recruited for a £300,000 transfer fee. Castleford, while not having announced anything quite so dramatic in public as yet, will have turned their eye to cracking the top four next season, with injuries robbing them of a chance to really challenge this time around.

Catalan have proven themselves to be frustratingly inconsistent, and with nothing to play for, that doesn't translate to anything more than minimal effort. With so much talent in their team, however, that's usually good enough for a handful or tries, but their defence is somewhat lacking as a result. Castleford tend to enjoy their attacking rugby as well, but with perhaps still a tad bit more commitment shown without the ball, that could be where this game is won and lost.

Given it's a dead rubber, to see Cas priced so highly is somewhat surprising, as they're more than capable of going to Catalan and exchanging tries all afternoon in the sun. While this might look like a home win on paper, circumstance suggests it could be a far different tale in reality - and at such long odds, there's too much value behind the Tigers not to.

Widnes Vikings vs St Helens
Sunday, 15:00

Depending on results, Saints will either be playing for top spot and staying in place to nick the League Leaders' Shield, or it'll already have been won and they've just positions to play for. Far from insignificant, both top two sides made the Grandfinal last season, and home advantage is incredibly important in the play-offs, so Kieron Cunningham will be desperate to keep his side's good form rolling in to the last few matches of the season.

Widnes, much as they have done for the majority of the Super8s process, will just be going through the motions, and will be there for the taking. A good attacking side when they can be bothered, their lack of motivation will all but hand this match to St Helens if the away side approaches the game with the right sort of attitude.

Saints were beaten semi-finalists in both the Challenge Cup and league last season, and that'll have left them with a bit of a chip on their shoulder this time around. Expect the away side to win, and to win big - anything else would be a disaster.

Recommended Bet: St Helens to beat Widnes Vikings by 21-30pts