Rugby League | Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals | Preview and Odds

This weekend sees six sides battle it out to join Catalan Dragons in the semi-finals of the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Hull FC have won the competition for the last two years but now have it all to do against the in-form St Helens, while Wigan Warriors look to win the competition for a record 20th time.

We look at the best rugby league betting odds ahead of all the weekend action.

Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Centurions

If there was to be a ‘shock’ this weekend it would have to come from this match, as Super League Leeds come up against Championship outfit Leigh.

Unsurprisingly, Brian McDermott’s side are 1/6 favourites to come out on top in tonight’s fixture, while the visitors are 7/2 to come away from Headingley with a place in the final four.

The hosts have not been in great form over recent weeks, losing four of their last six league games to find themselves in sixth spot in the league table.

They will be thankful for the break from the league and hoping a cup victory may well boost their confidence, but in Leigh they face a team who had been unbeaten over nine games until their 28-26 loss to Toronto Wolfpack at the ‘Summer Bash’ last weekend.

Home advantage will not be with the Rhinos though, who have to move the fixture to Featherstone because of the Test match currently taking place between England and Pakistan at Headingley.

I still fancy Leeds to come out on top in this one though and a bet that appeals to me is a Leeds win by 12 or less points at 9/4.

Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors

This looks to be the toughest match to call with very little to separate two sides who sit second and third respectively in the Super League table going into the game.

Both come into the game on top form, having won their last five games, though Wigan are 4/5 favourites having the best record of any side in this competition. Warrington are available at Evens.

Warriors coach Shaun Wane announced he will leave at the end of the season and I am sure he will want to end his reign with Wigan going all the way, so it is hard to bet against them to take the win again by 12 or less points at 2/1.

Warrington’s Josh Charnley comes up against his former side and is almost guaranteed to touch down against the Warriors, so at 4/5 he looks a good bet to score a try anytime in the match.

St Helens v Hull FC

Saints are the current league leaders, while Hull FC have recorded back-to-back Wembley wins in this competition, making this another tough one to call.

The Saints have won their last six games since losing 24-20 to Wakefield back in April and are short 1/7 favourites, while Hull have lost two of their last five and sit in fourth place in the Super League, going into this last-eight match as 4/1 outsiders

It’s hard to look past a strong St Helens though and a 19/20 to win with a -14.5 handicap looks to be the best value at 10/11.

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