Warrington favourites for Grand Final glory
Warrington are the current bookies favourites to win the Super League Grand Final, as the crunch time of the season approaches.
It is likely the sides that currently occupy the top eight will contest the Super League play-offs, but there is still much to play for in the final three rounds of the regular season.
Huddersfield can secure their first League Leaders’ Shield, with Warrington and Wigan waiting to take advantage of any slip ups by the Giants, who pulled off a crucial win against the Warriors last weekend. Further down the table, the teams are vying for a home match in the first week of the play-offs.
Huddersfield’s endurance has surprised many, especially as in recent years they have started strongly and fallen away, and they are now the hot 2/15 favourites with Unibet to finish top.
Trips to London and Bradford either side of a home match against Wakefield represents a relatively comfortable run-in. Finishing top of the pile would give them a huge boost.
The Giants will not be expecting an easy ride when the big games come around. Warrington, Wigan and Leeds all know what it takes to get to Old Trafford and will be battle-hardened by tough upcoming fixtures. In a funny way, they would not mind facing Huddersfield in the play-offs as experience plays such a big role.
Like the top four, places five to eight appear to be set in stone. It is just a question of who will play who in the eliminators.
St Helens have adopted the Leeds method this year – hitting form at just the right time when they looked in danger of finishing outside the eight. They will be dangerous in the play-offs, particularly if they finish fifth.
Hull FC are in the best shape of the three remaining sides, with Catalans and Hull KR making up the eight. All three will be desperate to hit their straps and earn a home tie for their do-or-die match.
It promises to be one of the most exciting play-off series for many a year, and the bookies currently have last season’s beaten Grand Finalists Warrington at 37/20 favourites, followed by Wigan at 9/4.
Huddersfield and Leeds are 9/2 to win the Super League title, with the Giants 7/4 to reach their first ever Grand Final.
Four-time Grand Final winners St Helens are 10/1, Challenge Cup finalists Hull are 40/1, ahead of Catalan (66/1) and Hull KR (150/1).
Who is your money on? Let us know in the comments below.