Betfred Challenge Cup 2022 winner predictions, rugby league tips and odds

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for the Betfred Challenge Cup in 2022, which starts on Friday evening.

Best bets

Catalans Dragons
2pts 6-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Hull FC
1pt each-way 12-1 bet365, Hills

Betting preview

Catalans Dragons tasted bitter disappointment in the Betfred Super League Grand Final last season but they could be drinking to sweet success in the Challenge Cup in 2022.

The Dragons went down 12-10 to St Helens at Old Trafford in October but the signs are there that the Frenchmen are ready to fight for silverware once again this season.

Catalans' Grand Final hangover saw them lose 28-8 to Saints on the opening night of the new campaign but Steve McNamara's men have cleared their heads with five straight victories, including wins over Wigan and Warrington, who will both fancy their chances of glory this season.

The Dragons lifted this famous old trophy for the first time in 2018 and look a decent price at 6-1 to go all the way once again.

A sixth-round home tie with Championship outfit Featherstone is unlikely to pose many problems and that will leave just two more rounds to negotiate before the big day at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 28.

The Dragons' path will be made even smoother by the fact that at least three Super League sides will perish in this round of the competition but the French raiders will fancy their chances against anyone, such is the strength of their squad.

Skipper Sam Tomkins knows what it takes to lift the trophy having done so twice with Wigan, while Michael McIlorum also has two winners medals from his time with the Warriors and was part of the triumphant Dragons side in 2018, who were coached that day by McNamara.

So all the ingredients are there for a serious Catalans challenge and Hull FC are another side who will fancy their chances of more success in the capital this season.

The Black & Whites were back-to-back cup winners in 2016 and 2017 and also have a squad capable of going all the way.

Hull were well beaten by trophy-winners St Helens in last season's semi-finals but made it to the quarters in 2020 and the last four in 2019. Sheffield Eagles are unlikely to thwart Brett Hodgson's men in the sixth round.

Full-back Jake Connor has been one of the stars of Super League this season and Hull's forward cohort can run the best defences ragged on their day so at 12-1 the Black & Whites should give punters a good run for their money.

Defending champions St Helens are 5-2 to retain the trophy and will take some stopping, while Wigan and Warrington at 6-1 will also attract plenty of attention.

However, both face tricky ties against Super League opposition in the sixth round so look best swerved, while Leeds are on the hunt for a new head coach after a miserable start to the season, so are easily discounted at 12-1 as they must first get past Castleford Tigers.

Shock winners are few and far between in this competition and it is hard to see the winner coming from anywhere other than the top five in the outright market with Catalans and Hull looking the best value options at this stage.

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