One of the fantastic traditions of European rugby league is the Challenge Cup, with amateur teams from all corners coming out to try their hand against the big names. This weekend will see the 122nd edition of the Challenge Cup head into the business end of the competition with the quarterfinals playing out over the coming days.
Can St. Helens continue their strong form and claim a 14th Challenge Cup victory? Or will the Wigan Warriors defend their title and extend the club’s impressive record with yet another win? We break down these questions and more using the latest odds from bookmaker William Hill to inform our betting suggestions ahead of the Challenge Cup 2023 playoffs this weekend.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 16th, 12:30 A.M. (GMT)
Given the nature of the Challenge Cup, higher and higher caliber teams are gradually phased into the knock out competition over the course of six weeks. The most recent round saw two big names in particular enter the Challenge Cup 2023—St. Helens, and the Wigan Warriors. Winning their opening matches, these two have jumped straight to the top of the bookies’ pecking order with William Hill paying 3.00 for St. Helens to win the tournament and 4.50 for the Wigan Warriors.
Next cab off the rank in the betting favourites is none other than the Warrington Wolves, who sit at 5.50 in the outright betting odds. Breathing down their necks are the Leigh Leopards at 6.00 before the odds drop off for the fifth favourites, the Salford Red Devils.
The Warrington Wolves are in the box seat to win the Challenge Cup 2023 and are our pick for an outright winner ahead of the quarterfinals this weekend. Entering the tournament in round six and facing the difficult challenge of playing the Catalans Dragons immediately, the Wolves impressed by gritting out a 16-14 win over the team sitting top of the Super League ladder.
Next up, Warrington faces another tough challenge as they’ll need to beat the Wigan Warriors, who are second favourites to win the Challenge Cup and currently sit sixth in the Super League standings. However, there’s a reason why the Warrington Wolves are second in the Super League at the moment. They have the ability to win tight, gritty matches, and should have the firepower to get past Wigan in this quarterfinal.
With two hard fought wins under their belts against quality Super League sides, it’s hard to see Warrington not kicking on and winning the title. We say their tough path to the semi-finals will benefit the Wolves, activating their best rugby league and helping the side win a 10th Challenge Cup title.
