Saints favourites for Challenge Cup
St Helens have been installed as 11/4 favourites to hoist the Carnegie Challenge Cup at Wembley when the final of this year’s tournament concludes on Saturday August 28.
William Hill, the RFL’s official betting partner, have Saints as favourites after they were paired at home to Toulouse Olympique in Monday’s fourth round draw.
Leeds Rhinos, who were drawn away at fellow Engage Super League club Hull FC, are second favourites at 7/2 with holders Warrington Wolves priced at 5/1 to retain the trophy they secured with victory over Huddersfield Giants at Wembley last year.
Warrington, who will face Featherstone Rovers at Halliwell Jones Stadium in the fourth round, are the same price as current Engage Super League leaders Wigan Warriors, who were drawn away to Sheffield Eagles in a repeat of the 1998 final.
Last year’s beaten finalists Huddersfield Giants, who have a home tie against Hull KR, are priced at 16/1 to go one better in 2010, while Hull FC are also 16/1 to win the trophy they last won in 2005.
Halifax and Widnes Vikings, who are both priced at 125/1, are the shortest priced teams from the Co-operative Championship.
William Hill are offering odds of 2,500/1 against Siddal becoming the first amateur club to win the Carnegie Challenge Cup at Wembley. The Halifax-based community club reached the last 32 with a rousing 26-0 win at Doncaster last Saturday.
Carnegie Challenge Cup 4th round draw: York City Knights v Crusaders, Hunslet Hawks v Oldham, Swinton Lions v Halifax, Limoux v Leigh Centurions, Harlequins v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, St Helens v Toulouse, Widnes Vikings or Wigan St Judes v Lezignan, Catalans Dragons v Salford City Reds, Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Warriors, Siddal v Batley Bulldogs, Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers v Barrow Raiders, Warrington Wolves v Featherstone Rovers, Blackpool Panthers v Whitehaven, Huddersfield Giants v Hull KR, Dewsbury Rams v Bradford Bulls.
William Hill bet: 11/4 St Helens; 7/2 Leeds; 5/1 Warrington, Wigan, Bradford; 16-1 Huddersfield, Hull FC; 20/1 Catalans, Wakefield; 25/1 Castleford; 33/1 Hull KR; 50/1 Crusaders; 66/1 Harlequins; 80/1 Salford; 125/1 Halifax, Widnes; 150/1 Batley; 200/1 Barrow; 250/1 Leigh, Whitehaven; 500/1 Blackpool, Dewsbury, Featherstone, Hunslet, Lezignan, Limoux, Oldham, Sheffield, Swinton, York; 1,000/1 Toulouse; 2,500/1 Siddal, Wigan St Judes.
The Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round ties will be played over the weekend of April 17 and 18. Details of the two fixtures that will be televised live on BBC TV will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday).
Tickets for the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Saturday August 28 are now on sale with prices starting from just £21.
Until Friday March 26 supporters can take advantage of a complimentary upgrade on all ticket bands for the showpiece final, with the exception of £76 tickets. For example, anyone purchasing a £31 ticket will automatically be upgraded to a £41 ticket.
Ticket can be purchased from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 11 13 or by visiting www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk