St Helens have not been successful in the Challenge Cup since they won the competition for the third consecutive year in 2008, however, the bookmakers make them the 3/1 favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in August.
? Big Al surging forward in what was a tough first half over in Perpignan. pic.twitter.com/GiCMYLHBuH
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 6, 2019
Saints, along with seven other Super League teams, will join the tournament in the sixth round this year where they will be just four games away from success. Justin Holbrook’s men have made a fantastic start to their season as they are joint-top of the Super League table along with Warrington after winning eight of their opening nine games.
Last season’s League Leaders will be hoping to finish the campaign with more than just a shield this year. The Merseyside club have not won the Super League at Old Trafford since 2014 but there is a lot of optimism amongst fans this season that their wait for the major honours will come to an end.
Saints were beaten in the Challenge Cup by the eventual winner Catalan Dragons in the semi-final last year when they went down 35-16 at the University of the Bolton Stadium.
Warrington Will Be Looking to Transfer Form Across to Challenge Cup
Warrington are not far behind St Helens at 7/2 in the rugby league betting for the Challenge Cup this season. Coach Steve Price will not have too many complaints about how his side have fared in the campaign so far.
Wolves have won their last five consecutive games in the Super League, including a 25-12 victory against Wigan Warriors and 63-12 hammering of Hull FC. Their only loss so far this season was a 23-22 defeat to Catalan at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
.@mattwilldavis7 picked up heritage number 1152 after making his debut on Friday night#AllForTheWire? pic.twitter.com/xCOP3WZKoE
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) April 8, 2019
The last time Warrington lifted major honours was in the 2012 Challenge Cup when they defeated Leeds 35-18. They have come close twice since then as they were beaten in the final in 2016 by Hull 12-10, while just last season, they had to settle for runners-up after losing to Catalan.
Wolves are one of the most clinical scoring teams in the Super League this season, with Josh Charnley currently topping the charts with the most tries at 11 for the campaign. If they can transfer their form across to the Challenge Cup, their fans will be hopeful of another appearance at Wembley in August.
Catalan Aiming to Follow Trend of Challenge Cup Successful Defence
Catalan made history last season when they became the first non-British club to win the Challenge Cup when they upset the odds to defeat Warrington. The French side are bidding to follow in the footsteps of Leeds (2014 and 2015) and Hull FC (2016 and 2017) who were recent back-to-back winners.
The Dragons made the marquee signing of Sam Tomkins from Wigan in the off-season to add to their talented squad. They have made an average start to their Super League campaign as they have won five of their nine games so far, however, they will be hoping to improve on their position in the table.
Catalan can be backed at 12/1 in the outright betting for the 2019 Challenge Cup, which is at the fifth-round stage with four of the Super League teams now involved.