Huddersfield v Wigan predictions and Challenge Cup final tips: Wigan for the win

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Challenge Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Wigan to win by one to 12 points
2pts 15-8 Betfair, Betfred

Successful drop-goal in the match
1pt 5-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

Team news

Huddersfield
Will Pryce returns after completing a ten-match ban. France international Theo Fages has been ruled out of the game through injury. Giants coach Ian Watson confirmed that star forward Chris McQueen will play in the final after being ‘wrapped in cotton wool’. McQueen and Pryce replace Jake Wardle and Sebastine Ikahihifo in the squad.

Wigan Warriors
Tommy Leuluai has been named in the squad despite missing the last six matches with a knee injury. Australian prop Kaide Ellis also returns for the Warriors. Hooker Sam Powell will serve the final game of his six-match suspension.

Match preview

Wigan Warriors dominated the Betfred Challenge Cup in the late 1980s and early 90s, winning it eight years on the bounce, and they are desperate to get their hands on the trophy once more having not lifted it since 2013.

But standing in their way are the Huddersfield Giants, who pitch up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having trampled over Barrow Raiders, Hull FC and Hull KR en route to the final.

Wigan overcame Salford, Wakefield and bitter rivals St Helens in their three encounters to set up a record-extending 33rd final appearance, and their first since since 2017 when they were beaten 18-14 by Hull FC.

Five years is a long wait for a club who expect to challenge for this trophy every season and they will be determined to make up for lost time at the final's temporary new home.

The Warriors have been in the doldrums somewhat since last winning the league in 2018, with only a League Leaders' Shield for finishing top of the regular season in 2020 to show for their efforts.

Wigan have won this competition a record 19 times and they are warm 4-11 favourites to clock up number 20 with Huddersfield unfancied at 9-4.

Recent meetings and recent finals suggest things could be a lot closer, though, and backing Wigan to win by one to 12 points looks the best bet.

These two have met twice in the league this season with each picking up a win by exactly ten points, while the last five meetings have featured winning margins of just ten, ten, two, four and 13 points.

And the last six Challenge Cup finals have been settled by totals of 14, one, 14, six, four and two points so expect this to be another nail-biting affair with the Cherry & Whites fancied to have the edge.

These two are currently third and fourth in the Super League standings with Wigan's tally of 332 points scored the highest in the competition.

That's an average of 25.5 points per game and if the Warriors can get close to that on Saturday it could result in a day of disappointment for the Giants, who won 32-22 the last time these two met a fortnight ago.

Wigan rested key men for that contest and were also edged out by Hull FC last week, but they will be fully-focused on this contest and can get their hands on the famous old trophy for a 20th time.

Given the expected tight nature of the contest, it may also pay to back a successful drop goal over the course of the 80 minutes in north London.

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