Old Trafford and the Super League Grand Final await the winner of this year's first play-off semi-final between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves.
Eight-time Super League champions Leeds have not reached the big dance since losing to St Helens in 2022, while Warrington have not made it to the Manchester showpiece since 2018, when they were beaten by Wigan.
Leeds v Warrington Tips Summary
Best Bet - Warrington Wolves to win @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - James McDonnell first tryscorer @ 18/1
Bet Builder - Warrington to win, A drop goal to be scored & Either Brodie Croft or Matty Ashton to score a try @ 15/1
Leeds v Warrington Prediction
Best Bet: Warrington Wolves @ 5/4
For much of the season, Leeds Rhinos looked a certainty to contest this season's Super League Grand Final.
Brad Arthur's men topped the standings for the majority of the campaign as they put opposition defences to the sword with some scintillating and inventive rugby.
The Rhinos finished the regular season with the best attack (904 points scored) and defence (426 conceded), but damaging home defeats to Wigan and then Hull FC saw Leeds miss out on the League Leaders' Shield.
The 40-8 hiding they suffered at the hands of Wigan was particularly hard to take.
The Warriors, who went on to claim top spot, dominated the Rhinos in front of a sell-out Headingley crowd and the defeat came at a significant cost to Leeds, who lost Man of Steel nominee Lachie Miller to a season-ending injury.
Captain Ash Handley stepped in to replace the Aussie at full-back against Hull, but he has also been ruled out of Friday's semi-final with a back injury, leaving Arthur no choice but to field 20-year-old Fergie McCormack against Warrington.
The Wolves started the season in electric form before a mid-season slump derailed their bid for top spot.
However, Sam Burgess' men finished the season strongly, winning eight of their last 10 regular-season games, and they put last year's treble winners Hull KR to the sword in last week's Eliminator clash.
A red card to Rovers centre Peta Hiku helped Warrington's cause, but they were full value for their 35-12 win and will head to Headingley full of confidence.
Leeds won both meetings between the pair during the regular season but the Rhinos' charge may be petering out whereas Warrington look to have regrouped at the perfect time in the race for Old Trafford.
Alternative Bet: James McDonnell first tryscorer @ 18/1
Second-row James McDonnell is one of three Leeds players set to join new NRL franchise Perth Bears for 2027.
McDonnell joined the Rhinos from Wigan ahead of the 2023 season and has proved a superb acquisition for the Headingley club, making 102 appearances in all competitions and scoring 27 tries.
Another stellar campaign saw McDonnell included in the Dream Team for the second season in succession earlier this month, and he could mark his final Headingley outing with a try.
McDonnell has not played since the round 22 win at Wakefield due to a pec injury, but he told reporters earlier this week that he "should be near 100 per cent" for Friday's clash with Warrington.
Prior to his injury, McDonnell had scored six tries in four games and he is one option available to Rhinos coach Arthur to fill in at centre for the injured Jack Bird.
At 18/1, he is a big price to strike first in Friday's first semi-final showdown.
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves Bet Builder Tip
- Warrington to win
- Drop-goal to be scored
- Either Brodie Croft or Matty Ashton to score a try
Pays 15/1
Leeds' preparations for Friday's last-four clash have been severely hampered by injuries and the lack of cohesion they showed in defeat to Hull FC two weeks ago did not augur well ahead of their biggest match of the season.
By contrast, Warrington have looked slick in recent weeks and should be full of confidence after doing a professional job on Hull KR in last weekend's Eliminator at the Halliwell Jones.
The Wire have now won nine of their last 11 matches and everything could be falling into place at exactly the right time for the Wolves.
Drop goals can be worth their weight in gold in knockout matches and Warrington used the one-pointer to great effect against Rovers last week as George Williams slotted home late on.
It would not be a surprise if either side employed similar tactics on Friday given the chance.
For the final leg of our semi-final Bet Builder, take a punt on either Brodie Croft or Matty Ashton scoring a try.
Leeds half-back Croft, who will join Warrington next year, crossed for 28 tries in the regular season, scoring in both of his meetings with his new club, while Warrington winger Ashton is finishing the season with a flourish.
Ashton scored a hat-trick against Hull KR last Saturday and has dotted down 13 times in his last 11 appearances.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- Leeds pair Maika Sivo (29) and Brodie Croft (28) are Super League's top tryscorers this season
- Sivo scored a hat-trick in both meetings with Warrington during the regular season
- Warrington have won nine of their last 11 matches
- Leeds ended the season with home defeats to Wigan (8-40) and Hull FC (12-18)
- The Rhinos were the only side to complete a league double over Warrington during the regular season
- Warrington winger Matty Ashton has scored in eight of his last 11 appearances for the Wolves, scoring 13 tries in that period
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
