A new name is guaranteed to be on the Grand Final trophy this year, with either Warrington Wolves or Wakefield Trinity set to lift their first-ever Super League title.
Warrington were the first team to book their spot at the big dance, knocking out Leeds Rhinos at Headingley thanks to a Ewan Irwin penalty goal. Wire won 14-12, breathing a huge sigh of relief when they saw Jake Connor’s last-minute 62-metre penalty goal fall short of the posts.
Wakefield meanwhile pulled off the “biggest shock of the year” by downing Wigan Warriors in their own backyard. Winning 33-6, Trinity produced a near-perfect display to down the League Leaders and Challenge Cup holders, in a result that sends them through to their first-ever Super League Grand Final.
This year will also be the first since 2011 that the teams who finished in positions one and two on the ladder both haven’t made it to Old Trafford. That year, Leeds Rhinos (5th) defeated St Helens (3rd). It is also the first Grand Final ever to not feature any of Leeds, St Helens or Wigan, which is a huge positive for the sport.
But with so much uncertainty looming, it’s hard to pick a favourite going into Saturday’s spectacle. In the two games the pair have played this year, they won their respective home matches, with Wire winning 27-16 at the Halliwell Jones in round three and Wakefield emerging as 25-18 victors at the start of September.
Bookmakers Betfred, who remain the principal sponsors of Super League as it stands, have made one team very narrow favourites for the Grand Final, with their odds reflecting just how close Saturday’s game is expected to be.
Warrington have been priced at 5/6 favourites to win after 80 minutes, with Trinity priced at 21/20. Warrington finished higher than Wakefield in the ladder, and although not by much, have that little bit more experience in their side when it comes to Grand Final appearances. The likes of George Williams, James Bentley and Sam Powell are all ex-winners at Old Trafford, and experience like that is invaluable.
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Super League Grand Final odds:
*Odds are taken from Betfred and are correct at the time of writing.
Warrington Wolves – 5/6
Wakefield Trinity – 21/20
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