Following the conclusion of the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, just four teams remain but there is one clear favourite to win at Wembley.
The quarter-finals of the competition took place this past weekend with eight teams bidding to keep their Wembley hopes alive but only four would progress.
Among those to fall were Salford Red Devils, Wakefield Trinity, Hull FC and St Helens, with three of the defeated four losing by the same 20-12 scoreline.
Hull FC were the outlier in that respect as they lost 32-16 to rivals Hull KR in front of over 20,000 at the MKM Stadium, making it the highest-attended Challenge Cup quarter-final since 1989. The game also marked the highest attended game that wasn’t the final since 2008.
Friday’s matches saw Catalans overcome Salford whilst Wakefield fell to defeat against Leigh as the Leopards kept alive their hopes of repeating their 2023 Challenge Cup success.
Saturday’s fourth and final quarter-final saw Warrington edge St Helens thanks to a George Williams masterclass with the England captain creating the first two and scoring the third.
Challenge Cup favourites revealed as odds preview likely Wembley finalists
The draw for the semi-finals was made at half-time of that game when the scores were 6-6 meaning there was no clear indication of which side would progress.
Warrington/St Helens were the third ball out of the hat and drawn against Leigh Leopards, whilst Hull KR drew Catalans Dragons in the other semi-final.
After Warrington progressed, the bookmakers updated their odds with Super League sponsor Betfred placing a clear favourite to win, but also clear favourites for both semi-finals.
Hull KR, who have not lifted silverware since 1985, are the 13/10 favourites to end that 40-year drought and lift aloft the trophy at Wembley whilst Warrington Wolves are priced at 7/4.
Their semi-final opponents, Leigh and Catalans, are priced at 5/1 and 15/2 respectively with those odds reflecting the pricing of both Warrington Wolves and Hull KR.
As such, it would seem the bookmakers are fancying a Hull KR and Warrington Wolves final but the Challenge Cup is a competition that is full of upsets which is why we love it so much.
The semi-finals will be played on May 10th and 11th with the final held at Wembley on June 7th.
Challenge Cup betting odds
Hull KR – 13/10
Warrington Wolves – 7/4
Leigh Leopards – 5/1
Catalans Dragons – 15/2
Prices correct at time of writing and courtesy of Betfred
