2021: Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Betting Tips, Predictions, Odds

After a year away from its spiritual home, the Super League Grand Final returns to Old Trafford as debutants the Catalans Dragons tackle the two-time defending champions Wigan.

With both teams set to bid farewell to key players, Saturday's showdown promises to be sensational. Will there be a new name on the trophy? Or, are Saints set to become just the second team to win the title for three seasons on the spin?

Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Betting Odds 

Despite winning the League Leaders' Shield, Catalans are the 9/4 outsiders and it might be being factored in that their inexperience could count against them.

In contrast, Saints have been there and done it, with this their record-extending 13th Grand final outing. After winning in both 2019 and 2020, another victory at 4/11 will see them surpass Leeds by claiming a ninth summer-era title, while the tie is 20/1.

Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Team News

The key team news in the build-up to the Grand Final has surrounded the fitness of newly-crowned Man of Steel, Sam Tomkins. The Catalans full-back limped off with a knee injury in his side's final regular-season game at Wigan and missed the 28-10 semi-final win over Hull KR.

Replacement Arthur Mourgue scored a try but looked nervy against the Robins and Tomkins says that despite not being able to train, he will be fit to play.

Jack Welsby is fit for Saints following a shoulder injury sustained in the 36-8 semi-final win over Leeds. Meanwhile, Morgan Knowles is permitted to play despite being charged with a high tackle in the victory against the Rhinos.

Catalans Dragons vs St Helens H2H

The pair have met three times already in 2021, and it is the Catalans who have had the edge. 

Steve McNamara's side ended the Saints' unbeaten start by handing them a 20-16 defeat in Perpignan in May but the champions got their revenge with August's 34-12 success at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

However, their most recent match came later that month at Magic Weekend and was magnificent. St Helens led 30-12 with five minutes to go but the French club scored three converted tries to level the scores before James Maloney's drop goal sealed a golden point victory.

Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Prediction

Catalans Dragons to Win - BET NOW

After wrapping up the League Leaders' Shield with that win in Newcastle, Catalans have tried to slowly reset their momentum, resting some of their stars in the closing games of the regular-season but mixed both style and steel in last week's win over KR.

That was encouraging and the feeling is that after winning the Challenge Cup in 2018, it feels like their time.

Saints have previously proved that they have a knack for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat but as referenced above, only Leeds Rhinos have won three in a row and it could be Old Trafford woe for Kristian Woolf's side.

Catalans - Team to Score First - BET NOW

One of the sub-plots of the match is the imminent retirement of Dragons' half-back James Maloney. 

The Australian was part of his country's success at the 2017 World Cup and also won the NRL Grand Final with Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Despite the occasion, the 35-year-old insists that there will be no room for emotion on Saturday and with his dual role of captain and goal-kicker, will likely try to take the points at the first opportunity.

Saints' goal-kicker Lachlan Coote is also moving on after the game but isn't always the most accurate and Catalans get the nod to break the deadlock.

Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Betting Tips

1. Catalans Dragons to Win - BET NOW
2. Catalans - Team to Score First - BET NOW

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