15th July 2012

Warrington vs Huddersfield Betting: Huddersfield can push Warrington all the way in the second semi final

The Salford City Stadium plays host to the second Challenge Cup semi final of the weekend on Sunday when the Warrington Wolves take on the Huddersfield Giants for a place at Wembley at the end of August. Leeds Rhinos await the winners of this match at Wembley next month and it is Warrington who are heavy favourites for the semi final at a best price of 2/9 with Blue Square to win inside the 80 minutes.

Warrington come into the match off the back of a good, solid win over the Catalans Dragons in the Super League last week but they played that match on the Monday night so will have had slightly less preparation time for this semi final which could be a factor. The Wolves will definitely be without Simon Grix for this match and it isn’t looking good for Lee Briers or Trent Waterhouse either.

Huddersfield Giants come into this match in wretched form having lost seven of their last eight matches. However form doesn’t always matter in knockout football and you would expect Huddersfield to be at their best in this match and give it everything. They will be without Luke O’Donnell for this match but the big prop Eorl Crabtree returns having been rested for their thumping by Castleford last weekend. Luke George is also expected to play after recovering from concussion.

The fact Huddersfield rested players last week shows me that they are going to give this match everything. I have to say I don’t think they will win but I don’t expect them to be thrashed like they have been in recent weeks. This is cup football and more importantly this is semi final football and that automatically makes it a bit tighter for me. The emphasis is very much on winning rather than scoring plenty of points and I think Warrington will win but I don’t see them covering a rather large looking 14pt handicap.

Back Huddersfield (+14) to beat Warrington for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Ladbrokes

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