Wigan v Sydney Roosters: World Club Challenge tips and betting preview

TV: Sky Sports Action, 7pm Sunday

Betfred Super League champions Wigan fly the flag for northern hemisphere rugby league as they look for a fifth win in the World Club Challenge against NRL Premiers Sydney Roosters.

The Warriors' four previous triumphs are part of club folklore – particularly 1994's amazing triumph in Brisbane – and the Cherry & Whites will kick off as big underdogs just as they did on that epic night.

It could be quite an occasion for new Wigan boss Adrian Lam, who looks to win silverware in only his third game in charge against the club where he was previously assistant coach and whose son Lachlan is in the opposition squad.

The Roosters have won this event three times themselves. The last time was in 2014, when they comfortably beat the Warriors 36-14 in Sydney having raced into a 18-0 lead inside 20 minutes.

Wigan will hope the reversal of ground advantage and having played two competitive games already this year will help them to produce an upset as it did against Cronulla two years ago.

The NRL season is still a month away so Trent Robinson's team are unlikely to be at full throttle, but the same could have been said in 2016 when his side annihilated St Helens 38-12. The Austra­lian champions will have 11 of their 13 Grand Final-winning starters on show.

The two absentees are top points-scorer Latrell Mitchell and leading tryscorer Blake Ferguson.

Wigan have fielded the same 17 for their opening two Super League games and may do so again if centre Dan Sarginson passes a fitness test on his injured ankle.

The Warriors' biggest problem will be posting points. The Roosters conceded just four tries and 22 points in their three playoff games against Cronulla, South Sydney and Melbourne last year.

And with master string-puller Cooper Cronk and the world's best full-back James Tedesco in their ranks, the Australians are likely to create enough scoring opportunities to cover the eight-point handicap.

It's top against bottom in the Betfred Super League, where surprise pacesetters Salford host Leeds.

The Rhinos are in a false position having faced Saints and Wigan on the road, and this should be a more manageable assignment for Dave Furner's men.

The even-money offers about them breaking their seasonal duck look good value.

Hull KR are tasked with overcoming a dozen-point handicap at home to London in the other fixture.

Recommendations
Sydney Roosters -8
3pts Evs Betfair, Paddy Power
Leeds
3pts Evs Betway

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport