West Yorkshire minnows Batley won three of the first five Challenge Cups but in recent times it has been dominated by the big boys. The last 10 Challenge Cups have been won by the four sides that head the outright Super League Grand Final betting and those same four sides lead the way when it comes to the Challenge Cup odds too. If you fancy a bet on the 2016 Challenge Cup outright winner then you’re in the right place. Not only do we have predictions and betting tips for the campaign ahead, we also make it quick and easy to get the best odds whoever you fancy, thanks to our brilliant live odds comparison.
Those live odds are currently headed by Wigan and Leeds, the sides that contested the last Grand Final. Wigan can be considered marginal favourites as, whilst the best odds on both are 7/2 (with Ladbrokes), the Rhinos are generally a shade longer than the Warriors with most firms. Next up in the outright winner betting come Saints at 4/1 with Bet365, whilst Warrington, who won the Challenge Cup in 2009, 2010 and 2012, can be backed at best odds of 7/1 with Sky Bet.
Beyond Super League’s current “Big Four”, come Huddersfield at 12/1 with Sky and Catalans at 16/1 with BetVictor, whilst Hull (22/1), Castleford (25/1) and Hull KR (40/1) cannot be entirely discounted. Whilst most experts will predict a success for one of the biggest sides, it’s well worth noting that the last three losing finalists were Hull KR, Cas and Hull, whilst Catalans Dragons and the Giants have both also made the final since 2006 (Huddersfield twice).
An each way punt on any of those outsiders would pay off very nicely if they were to make the Challenge Cup final, with all bookies paying out at half the odds for losing finalists. Given their huge odds, run to the final last year and strong showing in the Super 8’s Qualifiers, we fancy Hull KR are the pick of the each way options for those wanting an alternative to one of the giants leading the way in the outright winner betting.
However, when it comes to predicting who will actually win the Challenge Cup in 2016, we have made Wigan our number one betting tip. There is clearly little to choose between the top sides at this stage and whilst coming transfers could yet change that, the Warriors look a solid proposition.
They last won the Challenge Cup in 2013, having also triumphed in 2011 and no side has lifted this famous old trophy more times than Wigan. Last season they came so close to glory, narrowly missing out on the Super League Grand Final crown in a thrilling Old Trafford finale against the Rhinos. We think they can bounce back from that with a cup success and whilst the league may be beyond them, odds of 7/2 for them to claim a 20th Challenge Cup look very good.
Saints, Rhinos and Warrington will, of course, all push very hard but we feel this is Saints’ year in the league, whilst Leeds will struggle without their departed heroes and Warrington look just the tiniest fraction short on class. As such our main betting tip has to be Wigan, although at this stage we would advise against huge stakes in what is a very open Challenge Cup battle.