Wigan v St Helens predictions and rugby league tips: Warriors up for the fight

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Wigan Warriors
1pt 8-11 BoyleSports

Match preview

A single point from their final three games will be enough for St Helens to claim a first League Leaders Shield since 2019.

That looks a foregone conclusion given their final two matches are against Wakefield and Toulouse, although fierce rivals Wigan will eager to ensure Saints don't secure top spot in their backyard on Friday.

That's not the only incentive for the Warriors as victory would also confirm their spot in the top two and with it a home semi-final in the playoffs.

Derby clashes between Wigan and Saints are always rip-roaring affairs and Friday's latest instalment promises to be just as tense.

Saints have won both league meetings between the rivals - 22-4 at home in April and 20-18 at July's Magic Weekend - but Wigan did triumph in May's Challenge Cup final semi-final en route to lifting the famous trophy.

The match pits Super League's best attack against its meanest defence and on this occasion prolific pointsscorers Wigan may just hold sway.

The Warriors, who have plundered 712 points in their 24 regular-season outings, can score from anywhere and in dynamic duo Jai Field and Bevan French they have two of Super League's most devastating backs.

Saints are no slouches with the ball in hand either, and while they have kept on winning, they were thumped 44-12 by Salford on their penultimate awayday and have some injuries to contend with, especially in their backline.

Wigan, who are near full-strength, also have a proud home record to defend having won 11 of their matches at the DW Stadium this season, and a passionate home crowd could inspire them to a narrow derby success.

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