Super League betting tips: Saints seek Grand Final hat-trick
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Preview and odds for Saturday’s Old Trafford final
The Super League Grand Final sees Catalans Dragons out to dethrone St Helens so we look at the odds to find some Super League betting tips.
Saints aim to secure a third-straight league title after downing Leeds 36-8 in the semi-final, while Catalans bid to become the first overseas team to land the trophy after seeing off Hull KR 28-10 in their last-four clash.
Saturday’s Super League Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford, Manchester, and is live on Sky Sports with a 6pm kick-off.
Catalans Dragons v St Helens match odds
If their last meeting is anything to go by, we are in for an epic battle on Saturday evening.
Catalans pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in memory, when coming from 30-12 down with four minutes left to beat St Helens 31-30 at St James’ Park, Newcastle, early last month.
That victory on Magic Weekend, courtesy of James Moloney’s golden-point drop-goal, secured a first Super League Leaders’ Shield for the French side.
The Dragons claimed their first major triumph by lifting the Challenge Cup in 2018, but this will be their maiden Super League Grand Final appearance.
Super League Coach of the Year Steve McNamara’s Catalans are 9/4 to win in 80 minutes in Super League betting tips, while it is 11/5 that they win (with overtime).
Saints have been here before, of course, and will be bidding for a 16th major title. They have won the Grand Final seven times and having been beaten by Leeds in four of their five Grand Final defeats, they will relish the prospect of equalling their great rivals’ eight titles.
Leeds are also the only side to have won three consecutive Grand Finals (2007-2009) and Saints are 4/11 to make it three titles in succession, following defeats of Salford (23-6) and Wigan (8-4) in the last two Old Trafford showpieces.
Catalans Dragons v St Helens head-to-head
Despite their capitulation on Magic Weekend, St Helens are 1/3 to win the Grand Final (with overtime) in Super League betting tips.
They were in command in their final meeting, but a drop in intensity from Kristian Woolfe’s side saw them throw away any chance of winning the Leaders’ Shield.
They also had Catalans’ measure in their previous meeting, beating the Perpignan-based side 34-12 in August. Saints are 4/5 to successfully overcome a 7.5-point handicap.
Yet Catalans won two of their three meetings this season, recording a 20-16 win at home in May.
Much of the Dragons’ success is down to McNamara’s man-management and his clutch of ex-Wigan players: star full-back Sam Tomkins, winger Tom Davies and forwards Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum and Joel Tomkins.
With many of the French club’s fans unable to travel, Catalans are hoping to get support from neutrals and Wigan fans in the capacity Old Trafford crowd.
Catalans Dragons v St Helens team news
Saints forward Morgan Knowles will be able to play despite being charged for a high tackle by Rugby Football League’s match review panel in the semi-finals.
Matty Lees, Tommy Makinson and Sione Mata’utia have not faced further action for their offences in that match and will be able to play.
Meanwhile Jack Welsby, who sustained a shoulder injury against Leeds, will be fit to play.
Catalans Dragons have no suspensions to worry about going into the final.
All odds and markets correct at the time of publication
