The 25th installment of the Super League kicks off with a cracker as Warrington travel to the DW to face Wigan Warriors. Warrington have bolstered their ranks this off-season with the capture of experienced stand-off Gareth Widdop. If head coach Steve Price can execute a clockwork partnership between both Widdop and last season’s stand-out star, Blake Austin, then there’s no reason that this cannot be the year for The Wire.
Added to that, with the signings of Samy Kibula, Anthony Gelling and Matty Ashton, the Wolves will have strength in numbers should any of their key men in the backs and/or prop positions face absences, which could prove key to Price’s men if they intend to mount a serious challenge for the league leaders shield.
Ante Post tip: Warrington Wolves Regular season winner: 7/2 with Paddy Power
The last two ‘Man Of Steel’ awards have gone to players in their debut seasons after making the switch to the Super League from the NRL. Last season’s winner, Jackson Hastings, now at Wigan Warriors is a nice 14/1 to take the title again and would become the first player to do so since Paul Sculthorpe’s double back in 2002. However, I feel that Lachlan Coote could build on the fantastic season he had at Saints last season, and have a serious case for consideration if he stays fit and consistent at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Coote hit 95 goals and 14 tries last season for Saints, and was an instrumental part of their rise to win the Regular Season-Grand Final double, narrowly missing out on the the Harry Sunderland Trophy against Salford to Luke Thompson. If Saints remain as strong as they were last season, with Coote an influential cog in the engine, and James Maloney doesn’t hit the ground running, at Catalan, I think he could take the Man Of Steel 2020 title and at a price of 16/1 he is the value in the market.
Ante Post tip: Lachlan Coote Man Of Steel winner: 16/1 with Paddy Power
Hull Kingston Rovers survived the drop by the skin of their teeth, staying up on points difference at the expense of London Broncos who dropped into the Championship. With Toronto Wolfpack replacing the Broncos, I feel that they will have enough to stay up with the capture of Sonny Bill Williams.
Wakefield have recruited well with the signing of Ryan Atkins and think that they will beat the drop again this time around. Hull KR are the favourites to go down at 2/1 with fellow Yorkshiremen, Huddersfield Giants in at 3/1. I can’t see any improvement in the KR ranks, and the other sides making improvements to their roster more significant than the Robins, who have lost key half-back Josh Drinkwater, and think they will be the league’s bottom side this season.
Ante Post Tip: Hull Kingston Rovers to finish bottom of the league: 2/1 William Hill
| Wednesday – 3.00pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby League Ante-Post Tips | ||
| Warrington Wolves to win the regular season Best Bet | 7/2 |  |
| Lachlan Coote – Man of Steel winner | 16/1 | |
| Hull Kingston Rovers to finish bottom of the league | 2/1 |  |
Odds correct as of 2020-01-15 15:45:32