Playoff preview & Warrington v Castleford: free tips, betting preview, TV detail

When to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bets

St Helens to win Betfred Super League Grand Final
6pts 5-6 Betfred
Warrington penalty first scoring play
1pt 15-2 Betfair, Paddy Power
Castleford penalty first scoring play
1pt 17-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

No team have dominated a Betfred Super League season like St Helens have in 2019.

Saints equalled last year’s record regular-season points haul of 52 and won the League Leader's Shield by a highest-ever margin of 16 points.

The problem for Justin Holbrook’s team is that guarantees them nothing when it comes to the playoffs.

Last season Saints slipped up in the semi-final and the doubters were out in force again last month after they failed to justify favouritism in the Coral Challenge Cup final against Warrington.

Betfred are prepared to dangle a 5-6 carrot in the direction of anyone wanting to back Saints to claim Grand Final glory for the first time since 2014 and that should be taken.

Without doubt, Saints are much the best - they have won all 11 meetings with their four playoff rivals this year. Three of those teams finished nearer bottom-of-the-pile London in the table than the top.

The five-team format was previously used between 1998 and 2001 and every year it produced a first-against-second Old Trafford showpiece.

If that’s replicated, Saints will play resurgent Wigan in the big one next month - the favourites have won all three of their 2019 meetings with their neighbours by a combined margin of 90-32.

The table-toppers will have their feet up for the first weekend of the post-season and the contenders will be reduced from five teams to four on Thursday when Warrington host Castleford.

The Wolves were 13-8 joint favourites to claim the crown back in March but they start the playoffs as 7-1 chances after a dismal run of Super League form.

Steve Price’s team have won just twice in ten league starts but can point to their successful Challenge Cup run as evidence of their ability to win big knockout games.

They also have top-quality game breakers in Blake Austin, Stefan Ratchford and Daryl Clark and go off 1-2 to stay on the road to Old Trafford.

Cas have looked a pale imitation of the brilliant Tigers team of 2017 and a six-point handicap start may not be enough. It wasn’t when they were beaten 24-10 at Warrington in March.

The best bet may be a punt on the opening score being a penalty. That would have been a winning wager when the sides met at The Jungle in July and in Castleford’s last regular-season match at Wigan a week ago.

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