Wigan v St Helens: Betfred Super League Grand Final predictions, free tips & TV

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Wigan v St Helens in the Betfred Super League Grand Final on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, 8pm Friday

Best bets

St Helens to win by one to 12 points
2pts 5-2 Betfred

Wigan penalty first scoring play
1pt 4-1 Hills, Paddy Power

St Helens penalty first scoring play
1pt 9-2 Hills

Match preview

The Betfred Super League Grand Final will be played away from Old Trafford for the first time in its 23-year history but there will be a familiar name etched on the trophy as Wigan Warriors take on bitter rivals St Helens in the unfamiliar surroundings of Hull's Kcom Stadium.

A long and weary season will finally come to an end after a crazy campaign which at times looked unlikely to even come to a conclusion after being halted midway through March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Things got back underway at the start of August, minus Toronto Wolfpack who had to withdraw due to the financial implications, while the rest of the competition battled week in week out to fulfil fixtures which would ensure avoiding going the same way as the Canadian new boys.

It was a struggle at times as positive Covid-19 tests meant many fixtures were postponed, rearranged or cancelled completely as players were forced to stand down.

Catalans Dragons ended the season having played just 13 regular-season matches, while Hull FC took on Leeds Rhinos in October with less than 24 hours notice after Castleford withdrew from the fixture at the last minute.

And that was much the story for the final four months of a regular season which was decided by win percentage as opposed to the traditional method of total points but yielded a familiar outcome.

The markets at the start of the season in January predicted St Helens and Wigan to be the top two and that's how it panned out, only with Wigan crowned as the regular-season champions for finishing first.

Now the rivals lock horns once again for the ultimate prize.

St Helens were the tip at the outset to claim the title for the second year running and there seems little reason to desert the six-time champions now.

Saints have won five of their last six meetings with the old enemy although Wigan won the most recent contest 18-6 at the end of October.

However, that match came after a punishing period for St Helens who had been forced to play four games in 17 days and had just 96 hours to prepare.

Wigan were well rested having had a week off and took full advantage but things look different this time around.

Both sides have had ample time to prepare for this contest and eased through their semi-finals last week with something to spare.

Wigan were too strong for Hull FC in their 29-2 stroll at the DW Stadium while Saints overcame some brutal Catalans Dragons tactics in a 48-2 romp.

Things will be much tighter in Hull and it may pay to back either side opening the scoring with as successful penalty-kick, with points likely to be at a premium.

A clear but chilly night is forecast for Friday but Grand Finals are notoriously tight and this is unlikely to be any different despite the suitable conditions.

Wigan suffocated Hull last week and they will need to employ a similar policy if they are to control a free-flowing Saints attack who cut through most teams at will.

The Warriors' tactics succeeded in that October victory but prior to that the Red Vee ran up totals of 42, 40, 32 and 36 in wins over Wigan. A similar total looks unlikely in this clash but Saints will be confident of breaking free from their rivals' stranglehold enough times to edge to their seventh Super League crown.

Five of the last six Grand Finals have featured 30 points or fewer and backing a narrow St Helens victory looks the way to go.

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