World Club Challenge: St Helens v Sydney Roosters betting preview, free tip & TV

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for St Helens v Sydney Roosters in the World Club Challenge.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Action & Main Event, 7.45pm Saturday

Best bet

Sydney Roosters to win by one to 12 points
2pts 8-5 Ladbrokes

World Club Challenge match preview

It used to be said that NRL clubs didn't take the Betfred World Club Challenge that seriously but try telling that to Sydney Roosters boss Trent Robinson.

A self-confessed rugby league internationalist, few in the 13-man code are as enthusiastic about the annual dust-up between the kings of Super League and Australasia's best than the former Catalans coach.

Robinson is hoping to mastermind a record-breaking fifth world title and a second in a row for the Sydney club, who were league's inaugural world champions under their former guise of Eastern Suburbs in 1976 when they defeated Saturday's opponents St Helens.

The sides also met 17 years ago at Bolton as the Roosters produced a masterful display to rout the Saints 38-0.

Saints, who steamrolled all before them in Super League last term, should be much more competitive this time but even with home advantage they are 3-1 underdogs to become only the second English side since 2009 to be crowned world champions.

The Roosters, who beat Wigan 20-8 in last year's contest, are littered with world-class talent and although captain Boyd Cordner misses out through injury, they are rightly favourites.

While former NRL champions have treated the game as a mere warm-up for the new season down under, Robinson and the Roosters mean business and have spent the last two weeks training in England and with Catalans at Camp Nou.

They do not, however, have the advantage of having had three league outings under their belts as Saints do and the hosts' dynamic set of forwards should serve it up to the Aussies.

But the favourites have been the best side in Australia for the last two years and are masters at coming up with the right play at the opportune moment when the stakes are high.

A ten-point handicap looks about right so backing the Roosters to win by up to two converted scores looks the best approach.

Key stat

NRL clubs have won nine of the last 11 World Club Challenges.

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