Hull Kingston Rovers have taken the decision to send a weakened side to Wigan Warriors for Thursday night's Super League showdown at the Brick Community Stadium.
A surprising decision considering the Robins are only two points off fourth-place Wakefield Trinity and that a top-four finish would secure a home play-off in the first round of the finals.
However, that’s the call head coach Willie Peters has made and the Warriors are likely to be licking their lips ahead of the Rovers' arrival in Lancashire this week.
Wigan are the form team in Super League right now and the Warriors should duly put the Robins to the sword in this one.
Wigan Warriors v Hull Kingston Rovers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Wigan Warriors -44.5 handicap @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Bevan French two or more tries @ Evs
Bet Builder - Bevan French first tryscorer & Adam Keighran anytime tryscorer @ 17/2
Wigan Warriors v Hull Kingston Rovers Prediction
Best Bet: Wigan Warriors -44.5 handicap @ 10/11
Hull KR won’t have fond memories of their last encounter with Wigan, having suffered a 40-10 defeat at the hands of the Warriors in the Challenge Cup final back in May.
Wigan were head and shoulders above the Robins that day at Wembley and looked unplayable at times in the capital.
Of course, Rovers put out their strongest possible team that day with silverware on the line and with such a weakened team, it’s hard to see the visitors keeping this one close at the Brick Community Stadium this week.
The Warriors will give no quarter in this fixture as they look to keep the pressure on Leeds Rhinos at the top of the Super League standings and Wigan are backed to cover the sizeable -44.5 handicap here.
Alternative Bet: Bevan French two or more tries @ Evs
Cobie Wainhouse, Dec Murphy, Frankie Dearlove, Alife Woods, Ryan Westerman and Flynn Holden could all make their debuts for the Robins in this game and they will take on some experienced stars in this Wigan side.
Bevan French is just one of those and the outside back is tipped to continue his outstanding tryscoring form, having already scored 10 tries in 12 Super League appearances this season.
Also scoring a try the last time these sides met in the Challenge Cup final, French is fancied to score at least two tries against this weakened Hull KR side this week.
Wigan Warriors v Hull Kingston Rovers Bet Builder Tip
Bevan French first tryscorer
Adam Keighran anytime tryscorer
Pays 17/2
This Bet Builder starts with French backed to score the opening try of the game on Thursday night.
As mentioned, French is in outstanding tryscoring form and has scored in all of his last five appearances for the Warriors.
Look to French to score the opening try, while Adam Keighran is also fancied in the anytime tryscorer market.
Keighran scored a brace in the Challenge Cup final this season and it would be little surprise to see him go over for at least one try in this one.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Wigan Warriors are currently on a 12-game winning streak in Super League
The Warriors are on a seven-game winning run at home
Hull KR go into this match following back-to-back defeats to Warrington Wolves and Toulouse Olympique
Wigan earned a 40-10 win over Hull KR in the last meeting between these sides in the Challenge Cup final in May
The Warriors are the second-highest points scorers in Super League this season, with 715 points
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
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.
