
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves prediction: Champs to take Las Vegas by storm
This is one of the oldest and closest club rivalries in rugby league history with the two sides only separated by a 13-mile trip down the M6. They've played each other in 325 matches with the Warriors edging the head-to-head by quite a margin having won 188 times compared to Warrington's 126 victories.
As usual, the two clubs provided two enthralling encounters in the Super League last season with Wigan clinching an 18-19 victory away from home thanks to a Harry Smith drop goal. The Warriors were 12-0 down after 20 minutes in that contest but tries from Junior Nsemba, Liam Marshall and Kruise Leeming, as well as Smith's drop goal sent them into the break 19-12 ahead and Warrington were unable to claw back the deficit.
Things were wildly different in their second meeting as the Wolves romped to a 4-40 at the Brick Community Stadium, running in seven tries, including two each for Arron Lindop and Matty Ashton, as they handed Wigan a first home defeat in 18 matches and earned their biggest Super League winning margin in games against the Warriors.
Much of the pre-season talk has been around Super League heading to Vegas for this week's match-up between Wigan and Warrington with punters able to make use of a range of markets available on betting apps.
Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski initiated talks with Australia's NRL, who host the games in the United States, and negotiated a deal to have one 'home' game played in Sin City this year. Once that deal was done the only thing left was to choose an opponent and Warrington are the ideal choice.
Head coach Sam Burgess has overseen consecutive wins at the start of this Super League season with a 16-20 away win at Huddersfield Giants quickly followed by a testing 18-12 triumph over Catalan Dragons at home.
In contrast, Wigan kicked off their season with a 0-1 loss at home to Leigh Leopards in a golden point match that signals the dramatic flair embodied by Matty Peet's side. They subsequently found form and smashed Hull FC 4-46 in their last outing.
The clubs are next to each other in the table with Warrington sitting fourth and Wigan fifth and neither will be overawed by the flashing lights of the Vegas strip once the match gets going at the Allegiant Stadium.
Despite this game being played at a neutral venue, rugby betting sites have Wigan as the favourites and you can get 21/50 on a Warriors win from Unibet and BetMGM while BoyleSports are offering a not-too-unreasonable 5/2 on Warrington to triumph in the United States.
Warrington won't be fooled by the task they have in front of them though. Wigan won all four major honours in 2024 alone including the World Club Challenge, the League Leaders' Shield, the Betfred Super League Grand Final and the Betfred Challenge Cup, where they defeated the Wolves in the final at Wembley.
They tend to perform well on the big stage and may want to put on a show in Vegas. As such we're predicting a high scoring outing with the Cherry and Whites coming out on top.
Jai Field to continue good form
With both squads unchanged and injury-free, backing up our thought process is the form of Wigan full-back Jai Field. The Australian performed admirably in the season opener against Leigh but came into his own with a hat-trick of tries in the demolition of Hull FC last time out.
Prices vary on betting sites but you can get decent odds of 8/5 from Bet365 for him to cross the line anytime in the game while the likes of William Hill and BetVictor are offering him at 9/1 to be the first tryscorer.
Alternatively, Warrington's Arran Lindop is in decent touch and Bet365 have him at 15/4 to score at anytime which may be worth a look.
Please gamble responsibly
When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling.
Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.
Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control.
But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Why Super League's expansion encourages mediocrity, not greatness
IT WAS nice to get a dose of early festive spirit yesterday as Super League clubs voted to expand the competition to 14 clubs from next season. For this really did have the air of turkeys voting for Christmas. 2 The last year or so has been dominated by talk of IMG, you know the global broadcasting giant that has negotiated contracts worth billions of pounds? The firm whose recommendations on grading brought visible improvements to the environment the sport is played in. To me, this decision screamed: 'What do they know? We're rugby league people.' Well, 'rugby league people', you have opened the door to mediocrity being rewarded. Run the club you own like it's an unwanted toy? Have almost 20,000 empty seats at your home matches? Your stadium has one seated and covered stand? Hey, you're welcome to try and join us in 2026. The only saving grace is that 12 of the clubs will be decided by IMG's grading scheme, even then there's a huge flaw. An independent panel will put forward the other two clubs – and to think, 'rugby league people' moaned about the demise of traditional promotion and relegation previously. Set criteria will be made clear. Er, they should be crystal clear already. Time is not exactly of the essence. 'It gets rid of loop fixtures,' is seen as one excuse. Fair enough, but what have they been replaced with, more humdrum matches as the gap between top and bottom grows? What should have happened is contraction rather than expansion. 10 top teams going at it week after week – now that will be something people will want to watch. Broadcasters want to show the best, not one good side easing past a mediocre one while not getting out of second gear. I can almost hear the, 'It's not enough matches for us,' argument from here. Well, make more of what you have. 2 There have been welcome strides in making matches into events at the clubs that get it. However, not enough have realised it. Being able to read the writing in the stands during a match does not exactly scream 'Must see.' Will having more clubs, diluting the talent pool further, change that? I don't think so. Maybe, just maybe, England – you know, the team that should be big everywhere and not an afterthought – could have a game or two as the top flight has been reduced. Still, we are where we are and to quote a phrase heard all too often from 'rugby league people,' it is what it is. And do not even get me started on the away fans argument.


The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Super League votes to add two clubs and return to 14-team competition for 2026
Super League will expand to 14 teams in 2026 after clubs approved an increase in the competition by two at the earliest possible opportunity. Officials from all clubs met in Leeds on Monday to discuss a strategic review of the professional game that had been led by Nigel Wood, the former chief executive of the Rugby Football League who has now returned as the governing body's chair, despite being paid more than £300,000 to leave in 2018. His review recommended that Super League's best course of action for a strong financial future was to increase the size of the competition. Nine clubs voted in favour of that proposal on Monday afternoon; the Guardian understands that Hull FC and Hull KR voted against the idea, while Wigan Warriors abstained from voting. However, the next steps towards expansion are complicated and epitomise the chaos that continues to engulf the sport's boardrooms following Wood's controversial return to power. Twelve of the 14 teams that play in Super League next year will be determined by the IMG gradings system which was introduced last year. That measures clubs in a variety of on- and off‑field metrics, giving them a score out of 20. The 12 clubs which rank the highest in October will be automatically assured of a spot in Super League in 2026. The expectation as things stand would be that the Championship side Toulouse would replace Salford in the top 12. But that will not be the only change, as two more clubs will essentially be handpicked by an independent panel, based on a selection of criteria that is yet to be finalised. That panel will be led by the RFL board member Lord Jonathan Caine but will also include members of Wood's strategic review committee. Wood was, up until earlier this year, the chair of another side that will now be strong favourites to return to Super League, Bradford Bulls. They are not the only ones who will be hopeful of promotion through this unique and somewhat peculiar method. The Championship leaders York Knights are confident they have a compelling case to become a Super League side for the first time, while London, who would have missed out under the gradings system, now have an increased chance due to support in the boardrooms at certain clubs for the Broncos. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion A move back to 14 teams for the first time since 2014 comes at a crucial time for the sport. Super League is keen to position itself in as strong a position as possible ahead of a new broadcast cycle beginning in 2027. Supporters of the move believe a more simplistic fixture list, with the elimination of loop fixtures where some teams play each other three times, will appeal to all stakeholders. There were also concerns in some quarters about having two French sides, Toulouse and Catalans, in a 12-team competition, which would limit revenue streams.


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Never watching this nonsense again' rant fans as major league confirms two-team expansion for 2026 season
Three new clubs could be in the league OUT MY LEAGUE 'Never watching this nonsense again' rant fans as major league confirms two-team expansion for 2026 season SUPER LEAGUE clubs have brought forward the expansion to 14 clubs to next season. It was expected the addition of two more sides would not come until 2027, to tie in with the next broadcasting deal. 2 The Super League will expand to 14 teams for the 2026 season Credit: PA 2 Two teams will be selected by an independent panel Credit: Getty But at a meeting of top flight sides in Leeds today, the majority voted to expand for 2026. It has angered fans, who reacted: "I'm never watching this nonsense again." Another said: "The death has started." But other disagreed, commenting: "Finally! About time. This should have happened years ago." READ MORE IN SPORT WADE IN Christian Wade's attitude sees him make mark in THIRD professional sport IMG's grading system will decide 12 of the clubs who will make up the larger competition, which will see the end of despised loop fixtures and keeping the 13 home matches. However, two teams others will be chosen by an independent panel. This means those from outside the top 14 can be picked if they do not make the 12, so the prospect of Toulouse Olympique being overlooked is open. And with Salford set to still be relegated despite the expansion, there is the prospect of three clubs, including Bradford, coming up. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK If the Red Devils do stay in, that will mean a miraculous escape after months of chaos under the shambolic ownership of Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown. However, a Bulls' return would spark many complaints given the link with new Rugby League Commercial chair Nigel Wood, who headed the "club-led strategic review". Until March, he was chairman at Odsal – the condition of which, with one seated and covered stand - is another source of anger among supporters. And a raising of the overseas quota rules, allowing teams to have ten foreign players from 2026, has raised fears of a dilution of talent across 14 teams. London Broncos, currently 10th in the Championship and Oldham, only promoted from League One last year, are also keen on a place at the top table. A Super League statement said: 'The 12 existing Super League clubs have voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions. 'This would be done by combining the club grading system introduced to determine Super League membership as part of the sport's long-term strategic partnership with IMG in 2022, with an independent panel to be chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine. 'The top 12 clubs under grading at the conclusion of the 2025 domestic season will therefore be joined by two clubs recommended by that panel – provided the panel judges there are two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria. 'The Super League clubs have the right to determine the number of the clubs in the competition. 'The possibility of immediate expansion to 14 clubs was one of a number of options put to a meeting of the existing 12 clubs.'