The new season of the Betfred Super League gets underway on Thursday evening when Wigan Warriors play host to Warrington Wolves at the DW Stadium and our rugby league expert Nick Harris has taken a look at the relevant markets to bring us his betting tips.
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves Betting Odds
Wigan to win @ 8/15 - BET NOW
Adrian Lam's Wigan Warriors go into their first home game of the season having strengthened their side in the close season and look ready to challenge arch rivals St Helens for the Super League crown in October.
It was a mixed season last time out for the former champions, but they turned around some poor mid-season form and made it to the semi-finals of the competition before a disappointing display saw them bundled out at home by the Salford Red Devils.
In his second season in charge, Lam will hope to have ironed out any problems they have had and he will be looking for more consistency from his side. He should see what his team are made off right from the off after being handed a tricky opener against a Warrington side who have title aspirations of their own.
Wolves coach Steve Price has not been sat on his hands over the winter and has also added to his side which finished fourth in the standings last term as they look to end what some see as a curse on the club as they have yet to pick up Super League's top prize, despite four attempts.
New signing Anthony Gelling said: "I don't know what it is, I'm convinced there's a curse on the club but no one wants to believe it."
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves Team News
Jackson Hastings anytime tryscorer @ 9/4 – BET NOW
Wigan are expected to hand debut's to marquee signing and last year's Man of Steel Jackson Hastings, who signed from Salford and the half-back has been named in the squad with fellow newcomers George Burgess and Jake Bibby.
Wigan will be without winger Dom Manfredi who misses out through injury, while Oliver Gildart is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder and will not feature in the opener.
Bevan French will switch to full back and Zak Hardaker will take over from Gildart in the centres.
The visitors will be without their own marquee signing in Gareth Widdop after the 30-year-old England and Great Britain half-back, who joined from NRL side St George Illawarra, rolled his ankle in training and will miss out.
Warrington will also be without last-minute recruit Leilani Lat but off-season signing Matty Ashton and Anthony Gelling are both included for the trip to the DW Stadium.
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves Prediction
Wigan to win by 1-10 points @ 2/1 - BET NOW
Whilst most observers expect a comfortable home win for the Warriors, this fixture is often a closely fought affair and it would come as no surprise to see one or both sides suffer a sin-binning, or worse, in the curtain-raiser.
As an example of the animosity between the two clubs, this week's joint press conference was called off due to the "current climate between the two organisations".
This after Wire chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick had previously told the media he expected them to complete a clean sweep of victories against Wigan this season.
It should all make for a combative Super League opener and while Wigan are expected to edge it, there is unlikely to be much in it come the final hooter with 10 points or less separating the two teams in three of the last five matches.
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